James Eley

LIMA -- James Allen Eley. After years of physical decline, Jim entered into the arms of Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. His wife of 56 years was by his side.

Jim was born on January 8, 1944, in Lima to Paul H. and Martha (Mooney) Eley, who both preceded him in death. On April 12, 1969, he married Sheila Swint, who survives in Elida.

He proudly served his country as a seaman in the US Navy on the USS Duxbury Bay. He was a patrolman for 25 years for the City of Lima on the south side of town, where he was respected by the residents he served. He also served several years in code enforcement. He was a member of Bluelick Bible Church, the F.O.P. and the Ohio Police and Fire Retirees. In earlier days, he was an avid fisherman and had delicious fish frys. He truly enjoyed helping the less fortunate and did so by initiating his own program "We get it free-- we give it free", where he collected and delivered household furniture all over Allen County.

Surviving in addition to his loving wife Sheila Eley of Elida, are his sons James M. (Jill) Eley of Gahanna and Scott (Wendy) Eley of Delaware; his grandchildren Kyle (Nicole) Grassel of Phoenix, AZ, Jacob Eley of Delaware, OH, Josh Eley of Gahanna, OH, Grant Eley of Delaware, OH, Whitney (Gabe) Phillips of Delaware, OH and O'Riley Eley of Delaware, OH; his great-granddaughters Eleanor Phillips and Maddalena Grassel. Also surviving are his sister Karen (David) O'Grady of NC and his sister-in-law Sherri Eley of Lima and his faithful companion Trooper.

He was preceded in death by his brother Paul Eley.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Shawnee Chapel, 1170 Shawnee Road, Lima.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 12, 2025 at Bluelick Bible Church, 1138 Bluelick Road, Lima, where the family will receive friends for hour prior to the services.

Pastor James Neighbors will officiate the services.

Interment will be in Union Cemetery, immediately following the services at church.

Memorial contributions may be made Bluelick Bible Church or the charity of the donor's choice.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Interim Hospice, especially Sarah, for her exceptional care and concern and to all Jim's family and friends for the kind thoughts and prayers.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.