Charles "Dennis" Ray

Charles “Dennis” Ray, 76 of Taylorville passed away on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 10:55 a.m. at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. He was born on March 20, 1945 in Decatur, IL, the son of Charles Willard and Frances Evelyn (Whitacre) Ray, and they both preceded him in death. He graduated from MacArthur High School in Decatur, IL in 1964. Following graduation, he went to work at Caterpillar in Decatur until serving in the US Army from September 13, 1968 to September 12, 1971. During that time, he spent one year in Vietnam. He then returned to Caterpillar where he worked almost 37 years retiring May 1, 2001.

Dennis married Sharon Lynne Sims Ruyle on March 29, 1992 and they enjoyed almost 30 years together.

He was an active member of Taylorville Evangelical Free Church, NRA and Illinois State Rifle Association. Dennis loved working outside, attending auctions, watching westerns, early morning coffee with the guys at McDonald’s and traveling to the Southwest. Most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids and great grandkids.

Dennis is survived by his wife Sharon of Taylorville; children, Scott (Chris) Woods of Tovey, Lisa Woods (Rodney) Sheedy and Shannon Ray (Clint) Emmons, both of Taylorville; stepchildren, Jason (Hilary) Ruyle of Normal and Leslie Ruyle (Raymond) Barnett of Chatham; 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; sisters, Lynette Ray Whitehurst of Yellville, Arkansas and Kathy Ray Moore (David) Hill of Macon; and brother, Kevin Ray of Decatur.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at Taylorville Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Don Beetem officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will be at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, IL

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Taylorville Evangelical Free Church, 319 S. Washington, Taylorville, IL or his favorite charity, Red Cloud Indian School P.O. Box 5202, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5202 for the purchase of heating stoves.

Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.