Dennis Cralley
June 6, 1949 ~ March 2, 2017
Born in: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Dennis W. Cralley, 67, of Franklin, passed away unexpectedly at 1:30 p.m on Thursday, March 2nd at the VA Medical Center in Pittsburgh.Born June 6, 1949 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dennis was the son of Howard L. and Virginia Polenz Cralley. He married the former Jacqueline "Jackie" Grimm on June 19, 1971, and she survives.Dennis was a US Marine Corp Vietnam Veteran having served from August 17, 1967 until July 16, 1973. While in the military, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Star, a Rifle Marksman Badge, and a Purple Heart Medal.Prior to his retirement, Dennis worked at Quaker State and PPG as a Safety & Health Director. After his retirement from Quaker State, he started Cralley Consulting in Franklin. He was a member of Cooperstown United Methodist Church, Jesse G. Greer Post #1835, an Esteemed Lecturing Knight of B.P.O.E #110, the Izaak Walton League, the Oil City Izaak Walton Pistol Team & Service Rifle Team, and a past Board Member of the Barrow Civic Theater. He also participated every year in the National Shooting matches at Camp Perry, Ohio.In addition to his wife, Jackie, Dennis is survived by his mother Virginia Cralley, of Grafton, Wisconsin; his son, Sean Cralley and his wife, Patty, of Cooperstown; and his grandchildren, Ryah and Trenan Smith of Franklin, and Dylan Cralley of Cooperstown. He is also survived by his brother, William Cralley and his wife, Diane, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; his sister, Cynthia Curley and her husband, Mike, of Cedarburg, Wisconsin; his 2 nieces, Danielle Cralley of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Alexius Cralley of Denver, Colorado; and his great-nephew, Brayden Caruth of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.Dennis was preceded in death by his father, Howard L. Cralley; and his daughter, Erin Smith.Family and friends will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin on Monday, March 6th from 6 to 9 p.m. Funeral Services for Dennis will be held at the Cooperstown United Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 7th at 11 a.m. with Rev. Joseph Martin, pastor of the church, officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery.The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Hydrocephalus Association - 4340 East-West Highway, Suite 905, Bethesda, MD 20814 and/or the Barrow Civic Theater.To send flowers, cards, or online condolences, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
My best to his family and friends-I have only the best memories from Cedarburg High School of Dennis and John Licht and Jim Depies and all the fun we always seem to have together. Again-my condolences-Richard Leistikow(Diamond)
God’s speed and Semper Fi, Marine.
Your Cedarburg,WI High School Classmate and brother – in – arms!
Farewell grade school, high school, and church confirmation classmate. You lived a good life. Your family and friends will miss you. – Jean E. DeLauche, formerly of Cedarburg, Wis.
Dear Ryah & Trenan, your extended church family in Yadkinville, NC at Maplewood Baptist wanted you to know that we are praying for you. May you recall all the special times you enjoyed with your Papa Dennis and know you are dearly loved!!
Dear Jackie, Sean, Patty, Ryah, Trenen, & Dylan,
Please find peace in knowing that you now have your own guardian angel to watch over you. I would like to share a saying the expresses my true feelings with Dennis.
You never said I’m leaving, you never said goodbye. You were gone before I knew it, and only God knew why
A million times I needed you, a million times I cried. If love alone could have saved you, you never would of died.
In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still. In my heart you hold a place that no one could ever fill.
It broke my heart to lose you, but you didn’t go alone. For part of me went with you, the day God took you home.
I love you Dennis and will miss you so much.
Your sister, Cindy
We will always be grateful for Dennis’s friendship and will forever hold dear the memories of our happy times together. Rest in peace, buddy.
Aniele and Jim
Dear Jackie, Sean, Patty, Ryah, Trenen & Dylan,
May you find peace in knowing that you now have your own guardian angel to watch over you. Below is a saying that I would like to share with you that expresses my true feeling about my brother that I love and will truly miss.
You never said I’m leaving, you never said goodbye. You were gone before I knew it, and only God knew why.
A million times I needed you, a million times I cried. If love along could have saved you, you never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still. In my heart you hold a place, that no one could ever fill.
It broke my heart to lose you, but you didn’t go alone. For part of me went with you, the day God took you home.
I love you Dennis and I will miss you so much.
Your sister, Cindy
Thank you for treating me like family. God bless on your journey home. You will be missed. GO BADGERS!!
The Cralley’s were our neighbors in Cedarburg growing up. We all attended Cedarburg high school and our dad and Dennis shared a special Marine Corps bond. We are all very sad to hear of Dennis’s untimely passing.
Norah Barrett McCue, Kevin Barrett, Sean Barrett
Jackie and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Hold your memories close to your heart to help ease your pain.
God Bless,
Christi and Tom VanDyke (camp friends)
Our deepest sympathy to Dennis’ family. Always was a pleasure to see Dennis when he came to Cedarburg to visit his family. It’s been a long time since I saw Dennis, perhaps it was at the American Legion in Cedarburg. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. So proud you served our country. Nancy (Pagenkopf) and Rick Wallock
Dennis was a dear friend to my dad, more like family than just best friends. I always enjoyed seeing Dennis, as he had a joyful soul. He was kind and courageous having endured more hardship than anyone should. His persistence to rise above it all was inspirational in so many ways.
I loved seeing he and my dad together at my dad’s office. Sometimes talking work, sometimes talking fun. Coffee usually in hand perhaps inspecting or cleaning prized guns. Planning their Camp Perry adventures.
My deepest condolences to the Cralley family and all who loved him. We certainly did.
We will always remember the fun family times, holidays, concerts, at the lake, just being together and lots of wine! No one dies as long as there is someone left to remember. When there is no one left to remember, it doesn’t matter because we are all together again. With Much Love, Bill, Diane & girls.
My condolences to the family. Another fellow grad from Cedarburg has left us.
Jane McInturff Sells
This tribute was posted on the message page of my Uncle, who was a WWII veteran who fought on Iwo Jima with the 5th Marine Division, who passed away on March 7th, 2017. He was a fellow Marine like Dennis and I thought these words would also be fitting and appreciated by Dennis.
Few Earn The Title, “United States Marine”…
Once Earned, They Are A” Marine Forever”…
When they die, their Honor Clean, they appear before Heavens gates and See Two signs, Eternal Peace and “Marines”…
Below the sign is a path…
The Marine follows the path to a Quonset Hut, knocks Three Times and enters…
Inside are two Marines, Colonel Lewis B. Puller and Sergeant Major Dan Daly…
The SgtMaj. hands the Marine a Quill Pen, with which he signs his name to the Duty Roster, whereupon his Heavenly Robes Fade, replaced by Standard Marine Corps Issue…
The Marine Smiles and does a Right Face out The Hatch to the Yellow Footprints to Muster as The USMC Old Glory Platoon…
The “Marines” Orders are clear, to fight the forces of Evil for All Eternity, under the Command of the Ultimate Commander-In-Chief, GOD ALMIGHTY…
“By The Grace Of God,
And a few Marines,
It’s good To Be Home”…
We will miss you.
John Sims
Jim and Kathy Depies
Jackie and Kids you know how much we loved Dennis! He was the most thoughtful loving teddy bear of a man any one could ever hope to find in a lifetime! After he was born they must have tossed the mold away, there will never be another like him! Hopefully his suffering is over and he is with Erin watching over all of us together!
Mrs C and family you did one heck of a job raising that boy into the man he was, you all can be so proud of him. He will never be forgotten. The days we had running around Cedarburg, and then Germantown were legendary. Don’t know how you put up with the all of us….But there is nothing but love for you our second Mom!