Obituary of Shirley Ray Elliott

S. Ray Elliott, the son of Henry Gordon and Norma Barber Elliott, was born July 3, 1916 in Roanoke (Peter's Creek), Virginia. Ray graduated from the Newton Senior High School with the class of 1934. Ray joined the Civilian Conservation Corps following graduation. He later pursued advanced training in tool and dye making. On October 16, 1937, Ray was united in marriage with Charlotte Dunigan in Moberly, Missouri. Ray worked for the Maytag Company in Tool & Dye and also in Research. He retired in 1981. Ray enjoyed staying active. He played semi-pro football, golfed, fished and bowled. He also enjoyed woodworking and playing cribbage. He was an avid sports fan and was always knowledgeable in the latest scores and standings. Ray also enjoyed socializing through the Newton Elks Lodge, as a 50 year member of the Newton Masonic Lodge No. 59 A.F. & A.M., or wintering with Charlotte in Arizona. Ray also was a member of the First Christian Church in Newton. Ray died Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at Park Center Health Care in Newton. He was 95 years old. Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Charlotte D. Elliott, September 2, 2011, his parents; brothers, Paul Elliott, George Elliott and William (Bill) Elliott; sisters Helen Schneider and Norma Lee Bland, and an infant brother John William. Those left to honor Rays memory include his daughter, Kathie ( Eugene ) McWhirter of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; sons Dennis (Rosalie) Elliott of Council Bluffs, Iowa, James G. (Saundra) Elliott of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; his seven grandchildren, Rick (Vicki) Elliott, Nancy Elliott, Susan Davis, Matt (Katie) McWhirter, Melissa McWhirter, Kellie (Jeff) Kapparos, Monica Elliott; his seven great grandchildren, Morgan Elliott, Caitlin Elliott, Daniel Crago, Nicole Davis, Erik Davis, Justin Davis, William McWhirter, Chloe Kapparos, Aidan Kapparos; his sister, Frances (Kemp) Prugh of Dayton, Ohio; numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. Memorials may be designated in Ray's name to the First Christian Church or Skiff Hospice and may be left at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home.