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Funeral services will take place on Monday, October 2, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Sunday, October 1, with a Christian Funeral Vigil beginning at 7 p.m.



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In memory of

Phil Carley

of Milesville, South Dakota, died on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Monument Health in Rapid City at the age of 72

Philip (Phil) Ray Carley was born in Rapid City, SD to Merrill and Teresa (Haley) Carley on October 21, 1950. He was raised in the Grindstone Area next to the Grindstone Buttes and resided in Philip, SD. He attended country school during his grade school years. The family moved to Rapid City from 8th-12th grade for his sister, Merrilyn, to attend St. Martin’s. Phil graduated from Rapid City High School in 1968 where he met Karen O’Grady in photography class. He attended college at SDSU in Brookings.

On May 9th, 1970, Phil and Karen married and lived in Rapid Valley where Angelia and Joe were born. In 1973, they moved back to the home place by the Grindstone Buttes. They added to their family, 3 brothers, Ryan, Ira, and Jon. Then they were blessed with Andrea and a few years later Abby was born.

In 1989, he wanted to show Karen a beautiful place in Milesville, where his dreams were realized. Sharing his dream with confirmation retreats, and many people coming to share peaceful times, and the love of hunting.

Many people have come to Phil and Karen’s paradise to hunt and share stories. Phil had many opportunities to travel in different states and Canada to hunt for trophies and built his special collection through the years. The legacy of him hunting will continue to grow through his children and grandchildren.

He held leadership roles in 4-H, Knights of Columbus, served on the board of St. Mary’s, and was a member of the Stockgrowers Association. He earned the American Farmer Award in 1971.

His joy in his church and family was the most important to him. With lots of love and laughter, telling “new” jokes, sharing stories, and talking like Daffy Duck. Phil enjoyed playing his favorite game, Pay Me, and politely beating the socks off of everybody. He was a role model inspiring his children and grandchildren in hard work, humility, integrity, and honesty.

Phil’s cowboy life and ranching was ingrained in his blood having tried to retire not once but twice lasting maybe a month and deciding it wasn’t for him and bought another ranch and began rebuilding again.

He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his wife Karen of Milesville; children: Angelia (David) Shields of Blunt, Joe (LaRae) Carley of Philip, Jon (Ruth) Carley of Blunt, Andrea (Allen) Aaberg of Milesville, and Abby (Mark) Jacobs of Spearfish; 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; sister Merrilyn Schroeder of Fulshear, TX; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law Dave Schroeder; mother and father-in-law Frank and Mildred O'Grady.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Sunday, October 1, with a Christian Funeral Vigil beginning at 7 p.m.

A Christian Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 2, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

A Christian Funeral Committal will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.



VISITATION
Sunday, October 1, 2023 - 5-7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL VIGIL
Sunday, October 1, 2023 - 7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL MASS
Monday, October 2, 2023 - 10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Fr. Grant Gerlach
assisted by Deacon Lloyd Frein

MUSIC
Joe and Kathy Gittings - Vocalists
Marianne Frein - Pianist
"On Eagles Wings" - #440
"Prayer of St. Francis" - #534
"Taste and See" - #335 - "O Loving God" - #688
"How Great Thou Art" - #430

ALTAR SERVERS
Paige O'Connor - Race O'Connor

LECTORS
Abby Jacobs - Brett Carley

USHERS
Matt Reedy - Jim Bob Eymer
Marion Matt - Tim Quinn

PALLBEARERS
Dalton Shields - Emmett Shields - Wyatt Shields
Grady Carley - Quaid Shields - Wace Kammerer
Les Pearson - Bill Sandal

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Family and Friends in Attendance

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL COMMITTAL
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

  • Phil was one of the good guys. I have memories of times together in Philip or Huron. Always a fun time when Phil was around. So sorry to hear of his death, Karen & family, Merrilyn & family, you are in my thoughts & prayers! Hugs! ~ Janet Eickhoff Sioux FallsSD (10/5/2023)
  • I'm so sorry for your loss. Many of my childhood family memories include the Carley family. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. ~ Julie (Reedy) Wheeler Custer, SD (10/5/2023)
  • Phil Carley was a wonderful man. He was kind and smart and funny. I remember riding horses with him when we were kids. I remember working with him on legislative matters in Pierre when we were older. I was always happy to see him. My condolences to Karen, Merrilyn, and all the family. Rest in peace, cowboy. ~ Pat Haley Owatonna, MN (10/5/2023)
  • So sorry for your lost. Sending prayers ~ Dave Rowe Rapid City (10/3/2023)
  • My heart breaks for Phil's family. I am so sorry. He was such a wonderful guy, with a wonderful family. Although I send my sympathy to all, Karen, the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, I send a special hug and love to Karen, ~ Donna Craven Rapid City (10/2/2023)
  • We are still shocked and so very saddened over the loss of Phil. What a kind and gentle man. I knew him to be a devoted father, husband, and grandfather. I enjoyed teaching the girls in country school, and Phil was always a concerned and involved parent (and Karen!) Jason will miss a great neighbor, land steward, and someone to speak "elk talk." It was always a good conversation when the two of them shared their love of that beast. Jason was out on the bluff calling them when he saw the ambulance go down the hill. We never dreamed it was Phil who had fallen ill. We have you all on our hearts and in our prayers...and know that Phil left this world a better place. He will be terribly missed. Godspeed to this servant. ~ Hamill Family Milesville, SD (10/2/2023)
  • Karen and family,
    We send our deepest sympathy. Phil was a great man, always so friendly, and always that smile. Cherish your memories. Rest in Peace Cowboy!     ~ Don and Jolene Haynes Philip SD (10/2/2023)
  • To the family of Phil Carley
    Through out life if you're fortunate enough to meet one of those individuals who is one in a million, you're pretty lucky. Well I did years ago and he made a huge impact on my life. His contagious smile and laugh made you feel right at home no matter where you were. The only time I didn't see him smile was when his devoted wife was seriously ill, by the look on his face and demeanor I knew he loved her as much as a man can love a woman. His priorities were straight, God, then family, hunting, however was a close second. I've never met anyone who was in tune with the outdoors and his family as much as he was.
    Hunting deer in the mountains of Wyoming or elk on our ranches was as much fun as I'll ever have.
    Good clean fun, that's the Phil Carley I knew and loved.
    Your husband ... Father ... Grandfather... Great Grandfather will not only be missed, he will be sorely missed. GOD SPEED
     ~ Randy (10/1/2023)
  • Karen and Family,
    I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have many fond memories made with your family. One of my favorite memories was spending my confirmation retreat at your house and the chapel there. Phil truly knew what it meant to serve the Lord and treat all he met as a friend. He was such a dear friend of my folks and will always hold a special place in our hearts. I wish I could be there, but am keeping you all in my prayers.     ~ Haylee (Pearson) Swiden Watertown, SD (10/1/2023)
  • Prayers for the Carley family in the loss of Phil. Cherish all the wonderful memories. May the love of family and friends help comfort you all in the days ahead. ~ Karen Webb Rapid City SD (10/1/2023)
  • Abby,Mark,Wace,Jett and Kati we are saddened by the news of your dad and grandpa passing away. We are so glad we got to meet him. Abby, Please send along condolences to your mom as well. With love-John and Karen ~ John and Karen Griffith Spearfish SD (10/1/2023)
  • Andrea and Family,
    My Deepest Sympathy. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.     ~ Fawna Geigle Sturgis, SD (9/30/2023)
  • Our prayers and sympathies are with the Carley clan ~ Patrick& Carla Quinn Centennial CO (9/30/2023)
  • I'm truly sorry for your loss. I'm thinking of you in this difficult time. May he be at peace through His grace. ~ Valerie ElGhaouti (Kroetch) Tucson AZ (9/30/2023)
  • Sorry to hear of Phil's passing! I alway thought of Phil as a good friend!
     ~ Joe Millage Philip (9/30/2023)
  • Our deepest sympathy , he was a very kind man ! ~ John and Samantha Addison Mileville (9/30/2023)
  • So sorry for your loss our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family ~ Chuck and Donna Ferguson Hermosa (9/30/2023)
  • So sorry to hear abiut your loss. Phil was one of the neighbor kids growing up. Prayers for all of you. ~ Connie Clements Richards Altoona IA (9/30/2023)
  • We are so sad to lose such a special friend. Joann and Phil went to country grade school together. Over the 50 some years us two couples had lots of fun --trips, rodeos, dances, always had lots of laughs and memories made. We will miss Phil, he was one of a kind. God Bless Karen and all the families, we are thinking of all you folks. Hold on to all the memories. Prayers for all. ~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (9/29/2023)
  • This is hard to believe... My deepest sympathy go out to you all.
    Along with my prayers for great comfort during this sad time.     ~ Rebecca Philip (9/29/2023)