Obituary of Joseph W. Ely

In memory of JOSEPH W. ELY Loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend Joseph W. Ely, age 70, passed away peacefully in his son’s home surrounded by family on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 after a short battle with cancer. Born November 27, 1941 in Gulfport, MS to the late Floyd Ely and Mary Jane (nee Williams) Ely, Joseph graduated from Gulfport High School. He was husband to the late Diane Ely (nee Makowski) and caring father to his three babies who passed away at birth. Joseph will remain cherished and remembered always by his wife and best friend Sandra Ely (nee Henne) â€" who he met in Saginaw, MI and married on August 31, 1991 â€" as well as adoring children Joseph Ely (Julie), David Young, Greg Young (May), Mike Young (Lynn), Jason Ely (Marisa), and Mindy Temple (Mike); treasured grandchildren Joseph Jr. (Sarah), Samantha, Jessica, Jacob, Tiara, Jennifer, Joshua, Sean, Justin, Dana, Julianna, Brianna, Nicholas, Chase and Chelsea; and great-grandchildren Kylie and Makaelyn. He also is survived by siblings Joyce Hill (late George) and Clo Davis (Jim). Joseph served his country in the United States Air Force for four years. A lifetime UAW member, he worked for 30 years as a machinist and retired from General Motors/Saginaw Steering Gear. He lived in Springhill, FL for several years before moving to Tucson in 2005 where he fulfilled his dream of working in carpentry as resident handyman at Voyager RV Resort. Joseph touched the lives of so many people with his sense of humor and warm, generous heart. When not quietly lending a helping hand to others, he enjoyed travelling and his involvement in the Knights of Columbus as a 3rd Degree Knight. Joseph will be especially remembered for his love and devotion to family, and living life to the fullest. Family and friends are invited to visitation from 1-3 pm on Saturday, October 13, at BRING Funeral Home, 6910 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ. Services to celebrate Joseph’s life will begin immediately following, from 3 â€" 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joseph’s name can be made to Steele Children’s Research Center, P.O. Box 245073, Tucson , AZ or www.steelecenter.arizona.edu in honor of Dana Morgan.