Raymond F Dilks, Jr.

On Saturday, November 6, 2021, Raymond F. Dilks, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Alloway, NJ at 74 years of age. Ray was the oldest son of Raymond F. Dilks, Sr. and Doris Erb Dilks Moore, and stepson of Robert E. Moore. He was predeceased by his parents, step-father, and two brothers, Donald L. Dilks and James D. Dilks, Sr.  He is survived by his wife, Debra J. (Miller) Dilks, son Raymond Garris (Shannon) of Hampton, VA, and daughters Nancy L. Brawley (Kevin) of Quinton Twp., NJ, and Kathrine E. Handte (Michael) of Alloway, NJ. He will be missed by all who knew him, including his grandchildren, Tara Atlas (Jeremy), Michael Handte (Kellie), Cody Garris (Abigail), and Chad Garris, and great-grandchildren, Ryder Grossmick and Kayleigh Garris.  Ray is also survived by his brother, Mickey P. Dilks of Vineland as well as many extended family and friends.

Ray was a member of the Class of 1965, Woodstown High School,. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1966, serving in Vietnam and Thailand before returning home in 1969. After numerous jobs in the area, he settled into a full time position at Mannington Mills, Inc, beginning as a millwright, progressing to first class welder, then taking over as fire protection specialist. He retired with 30 years of service, and continued his interests in hunting, fishing, gardening, and NASCAR. Out of work time was also filled with community service as Chief of Alloway Township Fire Company, member in the Centerton Fire Company, and member of the Alloway Township Ambulance Squad and the Elmer Ambulance Corps. He was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, former officer and Life Member in the Alloway Township Veterans Association, former president of the Buckshorn Sportsmans Club, Life Member of the National Rifle Association, Community devotion extended to his support of Salem County Toys for Tots, and placing new flags twice a year on the graves of Veterans in the three cemeteries in Alloway. Ray loved hosting family celebrations, especially at the Alloway Halloween Parade, Christmas (with oyster stew and his homemade eggnog), and New Year’s Day with pork and sauerkraut. He and his friend Allan converted a school bus into a motorhome, which was used for more hunting trips than family adventures, but the most important trip to him was taking his family to Washington, DC for the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Thank you for your service to this country, and to our community, Ray. You will be missed by many. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alloway Township Ambulance Corps, P O Box 123, Alloway, NJ 08001 or to the Alloway Township Fire Company, P O Box 875, Alloway, NJ 08001.  SERVICES will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 13th in WOODSIDE FUNERAL HOME, 613 Salem Quinton Rd., Salem, NJ 08079(Quinton Twp.) where family and friends may call from 9:00 AM until time of service.  Burial with Military Honors will be in the Alloway Methodist Cemetery. 
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond F Dilks, Jr., please visit our floral store.