Ray Dillahunt passed peacefully on March 29, 2026 surrounded by family. Ray was born on June 30, 1940, alongside his identical twin Ron, to Fred and Ethel Dillahunt of Springfield, Ohio. His younger sister, Karen, was born in 1945.
Ray graduated from Springfield High School in 1958, where he was a member of the football team, the state championship track team and two state champion relay teams. After high school, Ray attended Wittenberg University on athletic and academic scholarships. At Wittenberg, he again shared a backfield with his twin brother on the 1961 conference champion football team, was a member of the track team, and graduated with a degree in education in 1962. Ray obtained his master’s degree in education from Bowling Green State University in 1963 where he was also a graduate assistant coach on the football team.
The luckiest day of Ray’s 85 years was March 4, 1966, when he went on a blind date with Connie Cameruci, also of Springfield, Ohio. Ray and Connie married five months later on August 5, 1966. Three children followed in 1967 (Tom), 1968 (Mike) and 1969 (Chelle). Ray and his young family moved to Eagle River, Wisconsin in August of 1971 where he began his 30-year career as a teacher and coach in the Northland Pines School District, and where he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame as a coach in 2013. Ray raised his family in a home that he built in St. Germain with the help of friends, and in which he lived for more than 50 years. Following his retirement in 2001, Ray became a full-time grandfather and great-grandfather, part-time fisherman and a somewhat reluctant traveler. He loved spending every possible moment with family or on the lake.
Ray is survived by Connie, his wife of 59 years; his sons Tom and Mike (Michele) Dillahunt and his daughter Chelle (Paul) Scharf; his nine grandchildren - Erik, Alex (Katie), Cody (Mary), Emmie (Ben), Hannah, Noah, Samantha, Dylan and Bryce; two great-grandchildren - Oliver and Miles; his brother Ron (Laurie) Dillahunt; and four nieces - Cathy, Christina, Cherie and Lori.
His family is grateful for the hundreds of calls and notes of support from family and friends, as well as the students that Ray taught and coached over the course of his career.
Funeral services will be at Christ Lutheran Church in Eagle River, Wisconsin on April 18th. Visitation will start at 11:30 a.m. with a 1 p.m. service. A luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ray’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements by Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home, Eagle River. Online condolences may be expressed at gaffney-busha.com
