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1925 Orval 2015

Orval O. Ely

1925 — October 3, 2015

Orval Ely, 90, of Abilene passed away on October 3rd, in Abilene. Visitation with be held on Monday evening, October 5th, from 5 until 7 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning, October 6th, at 11 a.m. at the Wylie United Methodist Church with Reverends Charles Williams, Jeff Hatcher, and Billy Crim officiating. Reading by Neil Ely. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park. Arrangements are by The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Orval was born on January 15th, 1925 at the family home located on a farm halfway between Tye and Merkel, to parents M. H. Ely Sr. and Hudora Cowger Ely. He graduated from Merkel High School in 1943. He married Lorece Bond Ely on June 12, 1949 at the Zion Chapel Presbyterian Church in southern Jones County. They were married for 42 years and raised three children together. Four years after Lorece’s death in 1991, Orval married Ima Jean Beatty Ely, sharing 20 years together. He worked as a farmer for many years. As a veteran of World War II, he served in the United States Army stationed in the Philippines and Japan. Orval was a member of Wylie United Methodist Church and The Gideons International. He was a Trustee of the Merkel Independent School District. For 10 Years, he worked for the United States Soil Conservation Service. He was an authorized Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church. He spent 30 years participating in the Lay Witness Mission Program. And for over 40 years, Orval served diligently in jail and prison ministry. Orval had a passion for spreading the Gospel and truly relished the friendships he made over the years doing so. Orval was preceded in death by his parents, M. H. Ely Sr. and Hudora Cowger Ely; wife, Lorece Ely; and siblings, Erna Jo Vasser and M. H. Ely Jr. Orval leaves behind wife, Ima Jean Ely; sons, Randon Ely of Merkel, Neil Ely and life partner Kelvon Hansen of San Marcos; daughter, Becky Camarillo and husband Barry Camarillo of Abilene; one sister, Emma Jean Cochran or Merkel; four grandchildren, Bethany Estrada and Jordan Ely of San Marcos, Bria Varner of Harlingen, Bridget Camarillo of Abilene; and four great grandchildren, Evan Estrada, Eli Estrada, Annemarie Estrada of San Marcos, Layden Joy of Abilene; and many friends. Orval wanted to thank individuals who had helped him down the pathway of life: his parents, wives, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and numerous pastors along the way. Memorials may be given to Gideons International for the purchase of White Bibles. The family of Orval Ely wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Hendricks Hospice, Dr. Henry Fosah, Dr. Larry W. Lin, Dr. Sandy Hazeslip and Wisteria Place. Brother Ely died praising the Lord.
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The Hamil Family Funeral Home

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The Hamil Family Funeral Home

TX

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

The Hamil Family Funeral Home

TX

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

The Hamil Family Funeral Home

TX

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