Raymond ‘Ray’ Charles Crilly, 76, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by loved ones, on Oct. 10, 2026. He was born Aug. 22, 1950, in Dunlap, to Wayne Thomas ‘Bob’ and Lucille (Thompson) Crilly. Ray attended St. Joseph Grade School and graduated with the class of 1969 from Dunlap Community High School. In his early years, Ray had many jobs while growing up. His dad, Bob, owned the Standard Tankwagon Service in Dunlap. When Ray was little, he would often ride along for the deliveries. When he was older, he helped when the
hoses needed to be pulled at the homes of customers. He also worked for Genevieve Greenwood delivering milk to homes in town. He mowed lawns before Bernard Hanson hired him to help at his gas station. During the summer, Ray enjoyed playing on the town baseball team that was organized by Kenny Dwyer who was also the coach. Ray married Connie and to this union, three children were born: Craig, Karis, and Corey. He had an auto body business
and did auto body work in Dunlap and Schleswig. He then ran the Dow City Insurance Agency, then took on an adventure up north when he bought Elbow Lake Lodge near Cranberry Portage, Manitoba. Ray was united in marriage to Debra ‘Deb’ on Feb. 29, 1996. To this union, Ray was gifted with 3 bonus sons: Cory, Chris, and Curtis.
In his adult years, Ray was a rural mail carrier for 19 ½ years for the Dow City post office, from which he retired. After retirement, Ray and his wife Deb had a sandwich and pizza business, in which kept them very busy as their sandwich and pizzas were sold all around the area in gas stations, grocery stores, and bars. Deb and Ray then opened Deb’s Deli in Dow City, where they continued with the sandwich and pizzas. The front end was a restaurant, and they also catered for many funerals, weddings, birthday parties, and all other occasions you could think of. They
were very well known for the broasted chicken, potato salad, and Ray’s homemade “Big Critter.” Deb and Ray also ran the kitchen at the Dunlap livestock auction on auction days for 11 years, and everyone loved their hot beefs and roast beef dinners. During the Christmas season, you could find Ray in the kitchen making all sorts of Christmas candy. His best and well-loved candy was his homemade peanut brittle. Ray also enjoyed working on cars, there are many that he finished and many that he was always going to finish “TOMORROW”. He also enjoyed fishing, ice fishing, and collecting “EVERYTHING”. His favorite and proudest moments, were anything that involved his grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by two sisters, Phyllis Schendel and Donna Crilly; and two sons, Corey Crilly and Cory Reed. He is survived by his wife, Deb Crilly; four sons, Craig (Amy) Crilly of Grimes, Karis (Cara) Crilly of Council Bluffs, Chris Reed of Jefferson, and Curtis (Crystal) Reed of Omaha, Neb.; daughter-in-law, Lori Reed of Omaha; grandchildren, Jazmine, Jonah, Jack, Nolan, Claire, Ali, Adam, Keelie, and Kenzlie; one great-grandson, Leo; siblings, Mary Crilly of Dunlap, Rita (Gail) Block of Waterloo, Neb., Jane (Duane) Renz of Moorhead, Ruth Crilly of Omaha, Lois (Bob) Stessman of Waukee, and Jerry (Chris) Crilly of Columbus, Neb.; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
A memorial service was held on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Fouts Funeral Home in Dunlap. The officiants were Ace Ettleman and Aaron Terwilleger. The musicians were John Waite and EveVonne Muff. The musical selections were “Mary, Did You Know?”, “Amazing Grace”, and “Grandpa” by the Judds. The honorary pallbearers were Jazmine Crilly, Jonah Crilly, Jack Crilly, Nolan Crilly, Claire Crilly, Ali Nunn, Adam Reed, Keelie Reed, and Kenzlie Reed. Ray’s final resting place is at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Services entrusted to Fouts Funeral Home. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
