Gordon Maschil Manring died Feb. 2, 2011, at Northwest Medical Center at the age of 90 years and 26 days. He was born January 7, 1921, in rural Gentry County, Missouri, to Lloyd H. and Opal (Elam) Manring. At age four, Gordon's mother put him on a pony behind his older sister and he started country school. He attended Spessard School south of Albany and graduated from Albany High School with the Class of 1937. The Depression and World War II denied him his dream to attend college, but both gave him a quality education. On June 25, 1949, he married Martha Patricia Norman, who survives him. To this union eight children were born: Edward M. (Nancy) and Mary (Richard) McConkey of Albany; Bill and John (Beverly) of St. Joseph, MO.; Nancy (Kevin) Holman of Columbia, MO.; Maurice (Michele) of Columbus, OH; Marvin (Mary Anne) of Stockton, MO.; and Sally (Eric) Lykins of Lee's Summit, MO. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, his sisters Marjorie Van Tuyle, Dorothy Reineke and Mildred (Ed) Chapman, a brother, Jerald (Jessie); many cousins, nieces and nephews. His parents and a sister, Wilma Braton, preceded him in death. In September 1939, Gordon joined the local National Guard unit, the 128th Field Artillery Battalion, because the pay, four dollars a month, looked like easy money. The unit was activated in November 1940, for one year of service, which turned into the duration of the war. Many members of the original unit were together throughout the entire war. He served in the 6th Armored Division, Gen George Patton's Third Army, in battles through Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland, the Ardennes, and central Europe. The local battalion played a key role in reaching Bastogne and turning the tide in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded a bronze star for valor and five campaign stars. He was discharged as a Tech. Sgt. and returned home in September of 1945. He rejoined the National Guard as soon as it reorganized. Over the years he rose through the ranks, was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 1950, attained the rank of Captain in 1963 and then commanded the local unit until 1967. He was then promoted to the rank of Major. He retired his commission in 1974, re-enlisted as an E-6, retiring completely in 1981, and is credited with serving his country over 41 years. Gordon was known to most as "Mailman," serving as a rural letter carrier out of Albany from 1960 to 1988. He raised cattle, bowled, and played golf, checkers, cards and ping-pong with considerable skill. He enjoyed coyote hunting with his friends. He and Pat put eight children through college and multiple post-graduate programs. He was a 50-year member of the Athens Lodge, AF and AM 127, charter member of the Albany VFW Post 5329, 63-year member of the Donald Holden Post of the American Legion, and the Rural Letter Carriers Association. His signature is on the original charter for the Albany FFA chapter and he was recognized with an Honorary Chapter Farmer degree in 1981. The name Maschil is taken from the Scriptures showing one "to have insight, to ponder and to wisely understand." For over two hundred years every generation of the Manring family has included the name of Maschil. Gordon was a firm and fair man who seldom panicked. He believed there was always a way to reason out a solution to any problem.