David Clifton Eley

1951 - 2017

Eley David Clifton Eley, who fought the good fight, died of complications of diabetes May 24, 2017, at Pataskala Oaks Care Center. He was 65. He will be wholly missed by those whose lives he blessed with his sweet personality and wry humor. David was a supportive brother to Carolyn (Patrick Eley-Durbin), Amy (Frank Fiamingo) and Dan (Sue); a loving uncle to Tristan, and Scarlette Eley-Durbin; Michael, Tom (Mindy), Dory (Tim Norgren) Fiamingo; Matt, Sean and Taylor Martin. He was a generous and long-suffering ("Oh, the noise, noise, noise, noise!") great-uncle to Ethan, Zave, Cliff and Donovan Fiamingo. He is also survived by an aunt and uncle, Mary Ann and Dale Murphy and many cousins. David was born July 26, 1951, in Louisville, KY, to the late Katherine (Murphy) and Forrest (Cliff) Eley. He was a graduate of Whetstone High School, Columbus, and The Ohio State University. He worked for 29 years at the State Library of Ohio. David's favorite activities included sharing his great love of history, animals, entomology, and books with his nieces and nephews, playing chess ("Don't move there - it's checkmate in eight!") and in his better days, fishing. He was a lifelong Lutheran and a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Westerville and a proud member of Redman Club-Sioux Tribe 128, before illness ended his participation. Friends may call from 10-11 a.m. on May 30, 2017 at CROUSE-KAUBER-FRALEY FUNERAL HOME, 225 N. Main St., Johnstown, OH, where his funeral will be held at 11 a.m. with Pastor Jonathan Bull officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Gambier, OH. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a charity of your choice. Remember David today by creating a more peaceful world: small acts of kindness and gentle words are a fine place to start. Kindness changes everything. An online memorial will be available at www.ckfraley.com