Marian Ray Dunlap (98) of Effingham

Marian Ray Dunlap, 98, of Effingham, IL, died Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at Willowbrook of Effingham.

Private family services will be held with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Effingham. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made to the Effingham County Genealogical and Historical Society, P.O. Box 1166, Effingham, IL 62401, of which Marian was a charter member.

Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Marian was born on August 28, 1919, in Champaign County, IL, the daughter of John Wesley and Lennie Belle (Humphreys) Ray. She graduated from Champaign Central High School and later married Robert Andrew Dunlap on April 16, 1942 in Mahomet, IL. He preceded her in death on March 12, 2004. Marian was committed to the work and activities of her family. She and her husband owned Effingham’s John Deere dealership, Dunlap Implement Company, from 1952-1977. She also worked each summer at the Effingham County Fair when her husband was a director and president. Supporting her children’s activities filled much of her time, being a Cub Den Mother and a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She worked every chili supper, bake sale, fundraiser, and attended every school activity that involved her children. Her own passion in later life was family history. She was a charter member of the Effingham County Genealogical Society and filled file cabinets with her research, focusing on the Pace, Ray, Havice, and Dunlap families. Marian was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, a past matron of Eastern Star, and a member of the Monday morning quilters at church.

Marian is survived by her children, Michael R. (Peggy) Dunlap of Springfield and Robin (Steve) Klosterman of Effingham; four grandchildren, Kristen (Tom) Prahl of Bloomington, Michael M. (Colleen) Dunlap of Houston, TX, Andrew (Stacey) Dunlap of Springfield, and Katelyn Klosterman of Effingham. She also leaves behind seven great-grandchildren: Lukas, Eli, Lily, Allison, Josh, Will, and Jack.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother Verne Ray; and sisters Leona Zuppke, Dorothy Gibson, and Edith Millage.