1921
Wilmer
2020
Wilmer R Eley
December 26, 1921 — December 2, 2020
Wilmer R. Eley
(December 26, 1921 – December 2, 2020)
Wilmer R. Eley, 98, of Union City, Indiana died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 11:45 p.m. He was born on the family farm in Union City, Indiana on December 26, 1921 and was the second child of the late Theodore and Prudence (Mangas) Eley.
Wilmer was valedictorian of his 1939 graduating class of Jackson High School, Union City, Ohio and attended Manchester College and the University of Louisville Engineering School. He served 40 months in Civilian Public Service (CPS) Units #27 and #29 near Tallahassee, FL from August, 1942 to November, 1945. He married Phyllis Wagner of Greenville, Ohio on October 10, 1948 and they enjoyed 68 years of marriage together; she died on March 1, 2017. Wilmer farmed for a living and also worked at the Union City Body Company, retiring after 33 years. He was a life-long member of the Church of the Brethren and most recently attended Emmaus New Testament Church, Greenville, Ohio.
Wilmer enjoyed photography, travel, engineering pursuits, church service, the joy of living and giving, and especially time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Wilmer is survived by his children Scott (Bev) Eley of Decatur, IN, David Eley of Winchester, IN, Diane Eley of Indianapolis, IN and Mark Eley of Indianapolis, IN; grandchildren Heather (Jason) Coffey, Elijah (Elizabeth) Eley, Joshua (Amanda) Eley, Jessica (Jason) Tinsman, Jacob Eley, Josiah (Taylor) Eley, Rebekah (Mervin) Schwartz, Daniel Eley, Esther Eley, Rachel Eley, Jennifer Eley, Timothy Eley, Sharon Eley; two step grandchildren Katrina and Nathan Brown; 11 great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law Mary Adine and Wilson Lutz; and many nieces and nephews.
Wilmer was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Eley; son Theodore Eley; daughter-in-law Pam Eley; grandsons Benjamin Eley and Samuel Eley; sister and brothers-in-law Martha Brubaker, Galen Detrick and Wilmer Brubaker; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Patricia and Dale Bishop, Jean and John Hull, and Barbara and Wendell Glick.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 6 at Reichard Funeral Home, Inc., State Route 28, Union City, Indiana. COVID-19 protocol will be followed. Masks will be required and will be available. A private service will be held later at the convenience of the family with Reverend John Glenn officiating. Burial will be in the Brick Memorial Park Cemetery, Union City, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army (https://www.salvationarmyusa.org) or to the Billy Graham Evangelical Association (https://billygraham.org).
(December 26, 1921 – December 2, 2020)
Wilmer R. Eley, 98, of Union City, Indiana died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 11:45 p.m. He was born on the family farm in Union City, Indiana on December 26, 1921 and was the second child of the late Theodore and Prudence (Mangas) Eley.
Wilmer was valedictorian of his 1939 graduating class of Jackson High School, Union City, Ohio and attended Manchester College and the University of Louisville Engineering School. He served 40 months in Civilian Public Service (CPS) Units #27 and #29 near Tallahassee, FL from August, 1942 to November, 1945. He married Phyllis Wagner of Greenville, Ohio on October 10, 1948 and they enjoyed 68 years of marriage together; she died on March 1, 2017. Wilmer farmed for a living and also worked at the Union City Body Company, retiring after 33 years. He was a life-long member of the Church of the Brethren and most recently attended Emmaus New Testament Church, Greenville, Ohio.
Wilmer enjoyed photography, travel, engineering pursuits, church service, the joy of living and giving, and especially time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Wilmer is survived by his children Scott (Bev) Eley of Decatur, IN, David Eley of Winchester, IN, Diane Eley of Indianapolis, IN and Mark Eley of Indianapolis, IN; grandchildren Heather (Jason) Coffey, Elijah (Elizabeth) Eley, Joshua (Amanda) Eley, Jessica (Jason) Tinsman, Jacob Eley, Josiah (Taylor) Eley, Rebekah (Mervin) Schwartz, Daniel Eley, Esther Eley, Rachel Eley, Jennifer Eley, Timothy Eley, Sharon Eley; two step grandchildren Katrina and Nathan Brown; 11 great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law Mary Adine and Wilson Lutz; and many nieces and nephews.
Wilmer was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Eley; son Theodore Eley; daughter-in-law Pam Eley; grandsons Benjamin Eley and Samuel Eley; sister and brothers-in-law Martha Brubaker, Galen Detrick and Wilmer Brubaker; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Patricia and Dale Bishop, Jean and John Hull, and Barbara and Wendell Glick.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 6 at Reichard Funeral Home, Inc., State Route 28, Union City, Indiana. COVID-19 protocol will be followed. Masks will be required and will be available. A private service will be held later at the convenience of the family with Reverend John Glenn officiating. Burial will be in the Brick Memorial Park Cemetery, Union City, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army (https://www.salvationarmyusa.org) or to the Billy Graham Evangelical Association (https://billygraham.org).
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wilmer R Eley, please visit our flower store.
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