Rev. Ronald D. Elly
Rev. Ronald D. Elly, 74 of Lafayette went home to be with his Lord at 9:40 am on Monday June 27th. He was born December 26, 1941 in Montgomery, Alabama, the adopted son of Robert D. and Dorothea Spear Elly. He was an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA), serving in the Wabash Valley Presbytery. He married Ellen Saint on June 11, 1966 in Elwood, IN and moved to Lafayette in 1967.
Ron was a man of vision who inspired others to needed social action. He was the founding director of Lafayette Urban Ministry and L.A.S.S.O.; he helped develop Home with Hope, the Crisis Center, and the Riggs Community Health Center, and he served on boards at Habitat for Humanity and Beacon Academy. He served on four mission trips to Mexico and was a leader in the Lafayette Great Banquet. Ron searched for and reunited with his birth mother, June Berry. He cherished his family, and he enjoyed reading, running, and playing basketball. Ron was known for his puns and tie-dye shirts.
He is survived by his wife Ellen; three daughters: Beth Baumgartner of Cincinnati, OH; Julianne (Michael) Shannon of Indianapolis; and Laura (Keith) Hudson of La Grande, OR; Six grandchildren: Peter and Marie Baumgartner of Cincinnati; Leah and Stella Shannon of Indianapolis; and Lucas and Benjamin Hudson of La Grande, OR. A twin brother Donald (Anne) Elly of Des Moines, IA also survives. Also surviving are his sisters in law: Jean Dorris, Dorothea (Lloyd) Hanton, Hazel Collins, and Kathleen (T.C.) Curlee.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday (July 1, 2016) at the Bethany Presbyterian Church 3305 Longlois Drive, Lafayette, IN, with Rev. Kevin Bowers and Rev. Laura Penney Bade officiating. The family invites guests to wear bright colors. A reception will be held afterward.
The family requests memorials be made to the Lafayette Urban Ministry, One Great Hour of Sharing-Presbyterian Church (USA), or to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
Tippecanoe Memory Gardens is assisting the family with arrangements.
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