Charles Wesley Crays

Notes:

He was the son of John and Mary Jane Tosh Crays. He purchased his father's farm in Tobias in 1898 and moved there in 1905 when his father retired. He later sold the farm to his son Donald. (Milligan, p 254).

(Research):

Census Listings:

1920 Census
Nebraska, Saline County, Atlanta Precinct
Enumerated 15 Jan 1920
SD 4 ED 124 Sheet 5B
92 -93
Crays, Charlie W Head M W 51 M Ill Ind Ill Farmer
Crays, Minnie Wf F W 47 M Ill England/English Iowa
Crays, Faye Dtr F W 18 S Neb Ill Ill
Crays, Mabel M Dtr F W 13 S Neb Ill Ill
Crays, Donald Son M W 5 S Neb Ill Ill

Charles married Minnie Ellen Davies on 21 Nov 1899 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Minnie (daughter of William Davies and Martha Ellen O'Neel) was born on 16 Jan 1872 in Lee Center, Lee County, Illinois; died on 6 Jan 1952 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska; was buried in Atlanta Center Cemetery, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She married Wade K. Babers. (Milligan, p 254). FindAGrave refers to her as Ilah Faye Crays Babers.

Family/Spouse: Wade Kline Babers. Wade was born on 9 Sep 1894 in Nebraska; died on 30 Apr 1966; was buried in Edgar Cemetery, Edgar, Clay County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She married Ben Kirchoff. (Milligan, p 254).

Notes:

SSN 507-46-9741

(Research):

Census Listings:

1940 Census
Nebraska, Saline County, Atlanta Twp
Enumerated 13 Apr 1940
SD 8 ED 76-1 Sheet 2B
33-R-10
Crays, Donald C Head M W 25 m H-3 Neb R Saline Neb Farmer
Crays, Anna A Wf F W 26 M H-4 Neb R Saline Neb
Crays, Don Roger Son M W 4 S Neb
Crays, Rollin David Son M W 2 S Neb

Donald married Anna A. "Annie" Herynk on 16 Jun 1933. Anna (daughter of Joseph Herynk and Anna Dlouhy) was born on 14 May 1913 in Tobias, Saline County, Nebraska; died on 3 Dec 1997 in Tobias, Saline County, Nebraska; was buried in Atlanta Center Cemetery, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was a 1953 graduate of Tobias High School, and since that date has farmed in the area of Milligan and Tobais. Don and Shelia purchased the Joe and Anna Herynk farmer, and in 2008 received the Nebraska Pioneer Farm award for having a farm within the family for 100 years or more. They farm and raise registered polled Hereford cattle.

Don Roger Crays was born to Donald and Anna (Herynk) Crays on October 1, 1935 on a farm southwest of Tobias, NE. He passed away September 23, 2023 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 87. He was the oldest of five children.

He attended Atlanta Center Country School through 8th grade and graduated from Tobias High School in 1953. Before becoming a full time farmer, he worked for the railroad in Lincoln, appraised land in Custer County, constructed concrete elevators around the Milligan area, and worked at the ammunition depot in Hasting.

Don began farming at the age of 15 with his grandfather Joe Herynk on the farm that eventually became his lifelong home. He was proud to be the owner of three farms that have been in the family for over 100 years that all received the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Family award.

Don was married to Sheila Elznic in Exeter, NE on November 6, 1965. To this union, three daughters were born; Stephanie, Linda and Clara.

His love for cattle started at a young age when he began showing in 4-H, this led to over 40 years as a 4-H leader mentoring many youth including his sisters and daughters. His passion for Polled Hereford cattle began in 1976 with the purchase of four heifers from his brother, Roland. Little did he know this endeavor would be the beginning of many friendships and "family vacations" to cattle shows and events across the nation. Don & Sheila served as Nebraska Junior Polled Hereford Advisors for three years and were awarded the Nebraska Hereford Association Outstanding Breeder and Pioneer Breeder Awards.

He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, serving on the parish council, the Tobias Volunteer Fire Department and EMTs, serving as the Fire Chief, the Nebraska Hereford Association, and the American Hereford Association.

Don will long be remembered for his orneriness, his signature cowboy hat and cigar, his passion for cattle and horses but most of all his dedication to his family and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Don & Anne Crays, in-laws Clarence & Evelyn Elznic, grandson Seth McKay, brother-in-law Leo Etter, and sister-in-law Norma Crays.

Don is survived by his wife Shelia of Tobias; daughters, Stephanie (Kirk) Jensen, Courtland, KS, Linda (Grant) McKay Marysville, KS, Clara (Tim) Grace, Humboldt, SD; grandchildren, Cody, Casey (Rileigh), Jessica Jensen, Bailey McKay, Kane, Weston, Xavier, & Blaze Grace; Great-Granddaughter Blair Jensen; Siblings, Roland Crays, Barry (Jean) Crays, Sharon (Jerry) Kroese, and Karen Etter; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Don will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tobias, Nebraska with Father Robert Barnhill presiding.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 from 1:00 p,.m. until 8:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Farmer & Son Funeral Home - Kotas Chapel in Milligan, Nebraska.

Visitation will cease at 6:00 p.m. for the Praying of the Rosary but will continue following the Rosary at 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Praying of the Rosary will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at Farmer & Son Funeral Home - Kotas Chapel in Milligan, Nebraska with Father Robert Barnhill leading the Rosary.

Graveside Services will be conducted following the funeral service at the Atlanta Cemetery in rural Milligan, Nebraska.

In Lieu of Flowers - Memorials are to be directed to the family to be designated at a later date.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy, From Farmer & Son Funeral Home)

Donald married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]