Ron Elly — Celebration of Life Service
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. ~ Micah 6:8
The Reverend Ronald D. Elly passed 
away on Monday, June 27, 2016 — and that Friday there was a Celebration of Life service at Bethany Presbyterian Church, Lafayette. Ron Elly was the founding executive director of Lafayette Urban Ministry — as well as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and spiritual leader for 50 years in the Presbyterian Church. At the Celebration of Life service Ron was remembered as a man of faith with a great sense of humor, with the ability to bring people together to do great works (including LUM), with lots of tie-dye in his wardrobe, as a patient listener and counselor, a thoughtful friend, a humble and selfless leader, a master at the “nose-flute” and a purveyor of puns. The service included verse, song and reflections.
The words of remembrance and faith that were offered are as follows:
- The Rev. Laura Penney Bade, Ron’s daughter—Prayer for Illumination
- Julie Shannon, Ron’s daughter—click HERE to read
- Beth Baumgartner, Ron’s daughter—click HERE to read
- Marie Baumgartner, Ron’s granddaughter—click HERE to read
- Rev. Don Elly, Ron’s twin brother—click HERE to read
- Rev. Jud Dolphin, former LUM executive director—click HERE to read
- Jane Smith, Ruling Elder, Earl Park Presbyterian Church
- Rev. David Smook, Presbytery of Wabash Valley Moderator—click HERE to read
- Rev. Kevin A. Bowers, Pastor, Bethany Presbyterian Church—click HERE to read
{To read all of the reflections, click HERE.}
The service was followed by a luncheon with an impromptu nose-flute concert. It was a perfect tribute to a remarkable individual who has changed the course of so many and whose work will continue to have an impact on our community for many, many years.
Read more about Ron Elly:
- Remembrances & Prayers for Ron Elly, click HERE
- Ron Elly—His Impact on LUM, click HERE
- Remembering Legacy and the Lafayette Urban Ministry by Jud Dolphin, click HERE
- Ron Elly’s Obituary, HERE
- Ron Elly was an ecumenical game changer by Dave Bangert, Journal & Courier (June 29, 2016), click HERE