On Election Day morning, Chuck and Cathie Baldwin were making their way to a polling place in rural Missouri when tragedy struck. Driving in darkness, the couple’s vehicle was swept off the road by floodwaters that had overtaken a creek. After being discovered later, they were found clinging to each other and a tree – a heartbreaking testament to their bond after over 50 years of marriage.
Wright County Sheriff Sonny Byerley reported that the Baldwins, known for their dedication to volunteering during elections, attempted to swim to safety but tragically drowned as torrential rains pounded the state. “They believed in the American republic and the polling system,” Byerley noted, recalling how the Baldwins always turned up joyfully at polling places.
While the state highway patrol confirmed the couple’s ages—Chuck at 70 and Cathie at 73—they initially withheld their names. It was their daughter, Michelle Baldwin-Bostian, who later identified them publicly.
The Baldwin’s passing quickly reverberated through their small, close-knit community of Manes, Missouri, where locals typically cast their votes in a music hall often filled with performances by local artists. Notably, in this predominantly Republican area, the Baldwins stood out as rare Democrats. Their unique perspective led them to be selected for a bipartisan election team, as revealed by Patty Squirell, who worked alongside Cathie at a local liquor store.
“Cathie was an angel here on earth,” Squirell remarked, adding that the loss has left the community in deep mourning. Similarly, Tanisha Ledford described how the Baldwins had helped watch her children while she balanced multiple jobs. “You couldn’t go wrong with either one of them,” she said, emphasizing their supportive and charitable nature.
Lindsi Snyder, a teacher at Manes Elementary, recounted the enduring love story between Chuck and Cathie. She highlighted how they met as teenagers and quickly decided to marry. Cathie commemorated their 52nd anniversary last year with a heartfelt Facebook tribute to Chuck, calling him “the love of my life.”
On that tragic Tuesday morning at around 4:30 a.m., their car was caught in rising waters from Beaver Creek while navigating a two-lane highway. Three teenage boys in another vehicle that was also swept away managed to escape and sought help by knocking on a nearby door to call 911. Despite their courageous attempts to return and rescue the Baldwins, the boys were unable to reach them as the current was too strong.
Byerley dispatched a drone and managed to locate the couple, who were clinging to low-hanging tree limbs. Unfortunately, rescuers arrived too late, and the sheriff confirmed that Chuck and Cathie died in each other’s arms.
Later that day, Snyder arrived at the polling hall and learned the heartbreaking news. Overwhelmed with grief, she reflected on Chuck’s remarkable kindness as a retired construction worker who would do anything for anyone. “He was just a good person. They both were,” she shared.
The flooding across Missouri had been severe, with over 10 inches of rain reported since Sunday. Roads and highways were closed, and additional rain was predicted for the weekend. Communities near the Meramec River, where homes and businesses were threatened, were urged to evacuate.
Hannah Kelly, a Republican state representative from Wright County, shared her connections to the Baldwins, emphasizing the communal sorrow transcending political lines. “Regardless of party affiliation, it’s heartbreaking,” she said, highlighting the significant impact the couple had on those who knew them.
Reflecting on their passing, Ledford expressed a comforting thought, believing that the Baldwins would not have wanted to live apart from one another. “They were made for each other,” she stated, capturing the essence of their deep love and commitment.
