- Date Of Birth: February 26, 1935
- Date Of Death: January 6, 2021
- State: Indiana
Everette John “Jay” Ely passed away on January 6, 2021 at his residence.
Jay was born in Pennington Gap, Virginia, to Everette and Ruby Ely. Jay was the oldest of their 10 children: Harold (Velma) Ely, Ruth (Bud) McElroy, Joy (Jim) Mills, Wayne (Patricia) Ely, Kenneth (Dee) Ely, Larry (Vickie) Ely, Mary Ely Brooks, Brenda (Bill) Iles and Linda (Danny) Parker. He graduated from Pennington Gap High School then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Germany for 22 months.
After his discharge, Jay moved to Indiana and was employed at the Chrysler Foundry Plant in Indianapolis.
In 1987 Jay married Betty Rose (Wampler) Young and acquired an instant family. They resided in Bargersville until they moved to Bloomington. Jay and Betty are members of Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. Jay was a generous dad to Betty’s children: Bill (Jan) Young, Vicky Young, Beth Ann (Chris) Young, Karla Young and Kevin (Dana) Young. There were many family gatherings for birthdays and holidays.
Betty and Jay enjoyed traveling in the United States and Canada. Jay never met a stranger and could have a conversation with anyone he met. When he and the granddaughters would go to Dairy Queen, the waitresses knew his name and would say “He’s back again” as she poured his coffee. Jay enjoyed collecting and working on antique cars. Jay showed his cars and won many awards. He belonged to the Hoosier Hills Car Club, the Cruising Classic Car Club and Model A Restorers Club. Jay also built doll houses during the winter months. He played the guitar and banjo with a group of musicians.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Everette and Ruby Ely, daughter, Karla Young, grandson, Russell Young, his brothers Harold Ely and Kenneth Ely and his sister Ruth McElroy.
Jay is survived by his wife Betty, her children, Bill (Jan) Young, Vicky Young, Beth Ann (Chris) Young, Karla Young, and Kevin (Dana) Young, his grandchildren, Heather, Megan, Nicholas and Kyle, his great-grandchildren, Ellen, Courtney and Chloe and brothers, Wayne and Larry Ely, his sisters, Joy Mills, Mary Ely Brooks, Brenda Iles and Linda Parker, dear friends, Donna Jo Thompson and Beverly Petry and many other relatives and friends.
