Arden E. Ely, 60, son of Marvin and Berniece Ely, was born Dec. 12, 1947, at Grand Junction, Colo. He died Feb. 8, 2008, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis from complications of heart disease.
He grew up in the Grand Junction area, graduating in 1966. After high school, he attended Mesa State College in Grand Junction and Glendale Community College in Glendale, Ariz. After college, he attended Phoenix Police Academy in 1969 and worked as a police office in Phoenix until 1977.
He married Johna Jones March 21, 1969, at Phoenix, Ariz. They were married 15 years and had two children.
Mr. Ely was a member of the Church of Christ Temple Lot and was baptized July 8, 1962, at Grand Junction, Colo.
He and his family moved to Licking in 1977. Shortly after, they moved to Houston, where he accepted a position with the Houston Police Department. He was an officer there from May 1978 to May 1991.
He also raised cattle, painted signs and built homes. He continued his career as a construction contractor until 2006.
He loved hunting deer and spring turkey season in Missouri and elk and mule deer in Colorado. He also enjoyed trout fishing, gardening and raising dogs.
He was a dedicated St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed watching and attending games. He loved watching NASCAR racing, sponsoring local racing teams, painting race cars, family dinners and barbecues.
He took a special interest in Houston youth soccer and coached for 11 years with several undefeated seasons.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Surviving are his mother of Houston; one sister, Janice Moore of Denver, Colo.; two children, Tamma Floyd of Houston and Chris Ely of Salem; six grandchildren and companion, Sharon Transmeier.
Services were Feb. 13 at Souls Harbor Family Worship with the Duane Ely, the Rev. Cordie Wimberley and Bill Malone officiating. Burial is 2 o’clock today (Thursday) in the Bado Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
