Herschel Henry Rayle, 87, longtime resident of Osawatomie, died Saturday, Jan. 20, 1990, at the Memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.

He was born Aug. 9, 1902 in Washington, Ind., to George Franklin and Sarah Elizabeth Waddle Rayle. The family lived in Terre Haute, Ind., and Ottawa, Kan., before moving to Osawatomie in 1911. He grew up there and attended the Osawatomie schools, graduating from the Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1920.

Mr. Rayle attended the Kansas State Sgriculture College in Manhattan. He was a member of Alpha Rho Chi Fraternity.

On Dec. 17, 1928, he was united in marriage to Elsie Lena Steffen of Paola in Kansas City, Kan. They made their home in Osawatomie and became the parents of one daughter.

He had lived in MIssouri City, Texas, since June of last year.

Mr. Rayle worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad as a carman. He retired in 1969 after 48 1/2 years of service. After retiring from the railroad he became a road supervisor for the Miami County Highway Department. Ill health forced his resignation in 1980.

He served as the Osawatomie City Commissioner of Streets and Public Utilities from 1944 until 1959. He served on the Miami County Hospital board of trustees from 1964 until 1972 and also served as hospital board chairman.

Mr. Rayle was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Osawatomie and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America, of which he served as secretary-treasurerer of the Osawatomie local.

He was a life member of the Abdallah Shrine and was a past president of the Miami County Shrine Club.

He was a past master of Osage Valley Masonic Lodge No. 24 AF&AM, was a past high priest of Ark Chapter No. 80 and was past master three times of Nine Council No. 3, all of Osawatomie.

Mr. Rayle was a past commander of St. Elmo Commandery, Knights Templar No. 22 of Paola and was a charter member of Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters of the Kansas Knights of the York Cross of Honour, Kansas Priory No. 33, of which he served as secretary/treasurer of the Osawatomie local.

His parents and one brother preceded him in death.

Surviving are his wife, Elsie Rayle of the home; and his daughter, Diana Lynne Rayle of Richmond, Texas.

The services were at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. The Rev. Alan Smith and the Rev. Pamela Hart officiated. Music was provided by Lois Bisig on the organ. The songs were "The Old Rugged Cross," "Amazing Grace" and "Old, Old Story."

The burial was in the Osawatomie Cemetery. Serving as the pallbearers were Alvin Walters, Ivan Walters, Earl Roach, Sonny Freeman, Fred Wicke and Arky Thomas. The honorary bearers were Ted Lewis, I. H. McMahon, Bill Eddy, C.R. Johnson, Larkin Bussell and Everett Whitney.

Memorials were given in his name to the Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children.