Cephas "Cy" Robert Morley

Cephas “Cy” Robert Morley, age 94, of Chatfield, Minnesota, passed away on March 9, 2026 at the Chosen Valley Care Center.

Cy was born at home on the family farm near Garber, Iowa to Frank and Ocie (Hansel) Morley on August 19, 1931. After graduating from Colesburg High School at age 16, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1951. Selected for intelligence work in Marine Artillery because he was the only one in his unit with a high school diploma, he served in Korea and Occupied Japan. Following his military service, he attended the University of Iowa, where he met Joanne Berry. They married on September 14, 1956, at St. Paul Methodist Church in Waukon, Iowa. The couple lived in several places before settling in Chatfield, where Cy worked as District Manager for Interstate Power Company.

Cy served on the Chatfield City Council and as vice-mayor. A lifetime member of the American Legion, VFW, DAV, and the 1st Marine Division, he founded the Chatfield Jaycees, co-founded the Chatfield Volunteer Service (EMT), and belonged to the Chatfield Rotary Club and Fish and Game Club. He loved hunting and fishing, most memorably taking a special caribou hunting trip to far northern Quebec for his 70th birthday. Above all, Cy was devoted to his family. He cherished time with his grandchildren, whether visiting the St. Louis and Columbus zoos, playing Rummikub, watching movies in Albert Lea, taking dolphin tours in Port Aransas, Texas, or enjoying wildlife at the family’s lake home in Ely.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne, son Steve (Lynda), daughters Dr. Beth Lee (Dr. Stephen) and Laura Jean, four grandchildren: Alex Lee, Andrew Morley, Sarah Morley, and Katie Lee, and one great-granddaughter, Hannah Joan Morley. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Wanda Morley Keck, and daughter Carol Ann.