DelRay Heward

DelRay Heward, 74, passed away April 18, 2026. He was born in Burley, Idaho in the Unity area, to Gerald and Dora Heward on February 6, 1952. He was a very handsome baby with dark hair and big hazel eyes. He grew up with a large family of 10. He was the 5th child of 5 boys and 5 girls. He was raised on a dairy farm and had many responsibilities with the cows. DelRay loved riding horses and playing with his siblings and all the kids nearby. He loved music, and singing with all of his siblings around the piano while his mother played. He was also always up for dancing and there are many fun memories of him dancing with Caleen and family.

DelRay attended Burley High School and enjoyed singing in the Bel Cantos choir. He graduated in 1970. He served a 2 year mission to the Australia South mission from 1971 to 1973 where he solidified his testimony of Jesus Christ and made it a big part of his life. He then attended ISU to pursue a degree in elementary education.

On February 14, 1975 he married his sweetheart Caleen Crane, the girl next door (or at least through the mile, which is basically the same thing), in the Idaho Falls Temple. Together they have 5 children.

DelRay followed in his father’s footsteps and taught elementary and ran a family dairy farm concurrently. He taught elementary school at Mountain View Elementary and then White Pine Elementary until 2012, when he taught his oldest grandson 5th grade. He was known for his smile, gentleness and kindness as a teacher with his emphasis on hands-on science.

DelRay was known for his excellent work ethic both on the dairy and in the Church. He instilled that love of work in his children and grandchildren, making work fun. He loved being with and playing with his children and grandchildren.

DelRay and Caleen served a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from November 2020 to May 2022, serving as teamsters in the Nauvoo, Illinois mission where they made many life-long friends. He served in many callings in the Church including scout master, ward mission leader, and several times as ward clerk. He most recently served as a worker in both the Twin Falls Temple and the Burley Temple. He loved missionary work in particular, helping people come unto Christ.

DelRay Heward is preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Dora Heward, and his in-laws Calvin and Raeola Crane and his sister-in-law Anita Heward. He is survived by his siblings: Rebecca (John) Mangan, Ida (Jonny) Nay, Kristin (David) Spence, Janine (Spencer) Wilson, Willie (Sherrie) Heward, Alan (Melody) Heward, Lynn (Carla) Heward, Lorn (Danette) Heward and Gwen (Greg) Brower; his children: Mandy (Brian) Shupe, Melanie (Ron) Christensen, Jared (Rachel) Heward, Aaron (Carolyn) Heward, and Whitney (Josh) Gneiting. They have 25 grandchildren including 5 serving missions plus 2 more leaving soon and one great grandchild.

Due to DelRay’s great love of missionary work and love of his grandchildren, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a missionary of your choice.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 24, 2026 at the View Chapel Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Viewing for family and friends will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2026 and for one hour prior to services at the View 1st Ward Chapel Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Services will conclude with burial in the View Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Payne Funeral Home in Burley.