Chester W. Ely

Chester W. Ely, 94, of Oviedo, Florida (formerly of Montpelier, Ohio) passed away on March 6, 2026. Chester was born on Feb. 14, 1932, and raised on a 120 acre farm in Ransom Township, Hillsdale County, Michigan. Dad always liked to hunt, fish and trap. He attended a one room schoolhouse before moving to Montpelier during the fourth or fifth grade. He graduated from Montpelier High School in 1952 where he was a star football player and still to this day holds the school record for the longest touchdown run vs. Toledo Libbey (11/9/1950) for 99 yards.

He joined the USAF during the Korean War, serving in Europe from 1952 through 1955. While serving his country, he qualified and played football on the Air Force All-Star Team for four years and traveled to many different locations in Europe. That same All-Star Team won two Germany-Austria Football Championships two years in a row, earning him the nickname of "Chet the Jet." He married Marcella J. Whetro (Kunkle, Ohio) on Sept. 11, 1955, while finishing out his military tour in Wyoming. During their time in Wyoming, Dad hunted deer and antelope. Once his tour ended, they returned home and he entered the Toledo Barber College. He was partners' with Wes Lamberson (Lamberson and Ely Barber Shop) in Montpelier for many years.

He worked many different day jobs through the years and built three houses (in Montpelier) and renovated many more houses in Montpelier and Bryan (to resell) during the evenings and weekends. He purchased and farmed several properties in Williams County. One of those properties is now known as George Bible Park. He eventually sold that property to the county to develop. He also owned a farm north of Edon, Ohio; a property on Barton Lake, Indiana; and a triplex in Bryan, Ohio. His final job was working as a Lab Technician for the City of Bryan (Wastewater Treatment Plant). He retired on Sept. 25, 1987, and the very next day Mom and Dad moved to Florida, building a house on Lake Istokpoga, Lake Placid. They have resided in Florida for over 38 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rush W. Ely and Flossie N. (Keck) Ely; four brothers, Richard, Ralph, Robert and Jerry; and son (Daniel). He is survived by his wife, Marcella J. Ely; they were married for over 70 years. He is also survived by one brother, Thomas (Jackie) Ely; sister-in-law, Sharon Ely; and two children, Debra Prots, Columbus, Ohio, Metro and Michael and wife Lisa (Mohre) Ely, Winter Springs, Florida; four grandchildren, Kristin (Chris) Simons, Ryan (Kellie) Ely, Jay "Andy" (Katie) Prots and Lauren (Justin) Parsons; seven great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. A remembrance of life will be held at a later date.