Edward Arty Rainey, 88, passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at his home in Boonville, Mo. He was born Oct. 21, 1922, to Homer M. and Lillian Howe Rainey in Mt. Vernon. He graduated from Mt. Vernon Township High School in 1940 and completed Business School in St. Louis. Beginning in January of 1943, during World War II, he served in the U.S. Army for 30 years. He volunteered for parachute training and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division in Europe, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment. Post World War II, he served in Army Special Forces from its early days and for many years thereafter. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Legion of Merit. His service did not end with his retirement from the Army. He first served on the Boonville Firemen's Board, then as councilman for the Fourth Ward for four years, from 1982 to 1986. In 1986, he was elected to be mayor of Boonville and served until 1990. He was also a member of the Lions Club for over 30 years. He and Betty Moore were united in marriage on Sept. 17, 1949, in Chapel 17, Fort Bragg, N.C. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty; three sons, Bruce and his wife Sarah of Columbia, Mo., Richard and his wife Shelia of Boonville, Mo., and John and his wife Suzanne of Fenton, Mo.; two daughters, Barbara of Boonville, Mo., and Janice and her husband Mark of Hallsville, Mo.; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three brothers, Floyd of Columbia, Mo., Charles and his wife Minta of Salem, and Robert and his wife Shirley of Carlyle; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Lois Rainey Fox and Elva Dean Rainey Suerstedt. A memorial service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 407 E. Spring, Boonville, Mo. In