Earnest W. Ely, 86

Earnest W. Ely, 86, of 219 Basswood Dr., Lancaster, died Wednesday, January 18, 2006, at his residence.

He was the husband of the late Betty R. Ely, who died in 1996.  Born in Coatesville, he was the son of the late John C. Ely and Catherine Wineberg Ely Coulter.

Earnest had worked as sales manager for Bickels Potato Chips for 22 years, retiring in 1982. After retirement, he worked in the grocery dept. at Oregon Dairy, working until 4 weeks ago.

He was a US Army veteran of World War II, serving a field medic with Gen. George Patton’s armored division. He attained the rank of Staff Sgt.

Earnest was a member of the American Legion Post 34, and the Wheatland and Willow Street Lions Club. He served as a former District Governor with the Lions Club in the 1970s. He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing and golfing.

He attended the Worship Center, and formerly taught Sunday School and was Youth Director at the First Baptist Church, where he was also a deacon and a member of the choir.

He is survived by 4 daughters: Cathy J. married to Ronald Shissler of Lancaster, Carol A.  married to Harold Findley of New Providence, Alberta “Bobbi” Fuller  wife of the late Donald Fuller of Lancaster, and Susan M.  married to Timothy Ezard of Lancaster; and by a son, E. William “Bill” Ely Jr.  married to Carol S. Ely of Lancaster. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 8 great great grandchildren, a companion, Darlene Straub of Brownstown, a stepsister Betty Burkey of Lancaster, and a nephew Albert Ely of San Antonio TX.

Friends will be received on Friday from 9-10AM at the Hempfield United Methodist Church, 3050 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, with the funeral service to follow at 10AM. Interment in the Millersville Mennonite Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Hospice of Lancaster County, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.