John C. Edly

A Funeral Mass celebrating the life of John C. Edly, 90, of Newark, will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 11:00 A.M., Friday, January 27, 2023, with Fr. David Sizemore as celebrant and Fr. Mike Gentry as concelebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery with military honors provided by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.
John, a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, died peacefully at the Selma Markowitz Care Center of Hospice of Central Ohio on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. He was born in Newark, Ohio on September 9, 1932, to the late Alex and Margaret (Kavalyecz) Edly.
John was a 1950 graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School and excelled as an athlete on their football and basketball teams. He was a lifelong sports enthusiast and would often end each day in his recliner watching "the game", whichever one it may have been. Even in his final days, John was still turning on the T.V. rooting for Notre Dame and talking about the latest scores. He was also an avid golfer with a recorded "hole in one", and had amassed a golf ball collection that covered every inch of his rec room.
A United States Army Korean War Veteran, John served in the special services from 1952-1954 and played for the US Army basketball team. He retired from Owens Corning Fiberglas where he worked as a machinist and was a member of their 25 Year Club, and was a member and past president of the Licking County Old Timer's Athletic Association.
He embodied a strong work ethic and liked to start each day early, the earlier the better. His driveway was always the first to be shoveled once the snow had stopped falling, his lawn freshly cut when the morning dew had subsided, and he took great pride in his tomato garden.
John was always quick to provide his witty humor and had a genuine heart. He never hesitated to offer help when needed. As a longtime member of the Newark Elks Lodge, John volunteered in numerous ways and received "Elk of the Year" on multiple occasions. Over the years, he chaired many drives and fundraisers which delivered countless Christmas Baskets to less fortunate families. As chief cook at the club he fried many frog-legs, and became the one to go to for any help in the kitchen. He formed many longtime friendships at the Elks and possibly enjoyed a cold beverage or two along the way.
For those who knew John, it was customary for him to bless you with a Werther's candy if he saw you about town. He shared thousands of Werther's over the years, and especially enjoyed the smiles of the children of all of the friends, family and people he met as he spread kindness in his own special way.
He enjoyed life to the fullest and as the family patriarch, he enjoyed spending time celebrating with his extended family.
He will be greatly missed by his children, Cathy Edly, Bob Edly, Karen (Jim) Dellner, Chris (Carl R.) Litts, Kathy (Roger) McClain; 11 grandchildren, Robert Edly Jr., Sara (Brian) Workman, Rebecca Jo (Lincoln) Horsley, Elane Jones, Shannon (Matt) Caudill, Greg (Jess) Dellner, Meghan (Tom) Fairall, Drew (Kelsey) McClain, Gretchen (Bart) Sides, Abby (Ryan) Scinta, Matt (Madeline) McClain; 21 great-grandchildren (plus another 3 on the way), Trenton and Kaitlyn Edly, Jacob, Kyndzie and Mariah Workman, Talon, Titus and Laykin Horsley, Chloe Fleming, and Wesley and Gavin Jones, Emma and Leah Caudill, Parker, Paxton and Shepard Fairall, Cohen, Tucker and Bodie McClain, Casey Dellner, and Maxwell McClain; sister-in-law, Donna Edly and her daughters, Linda (Roy) Mead, Janet (Chuck) Borton, and Karen (Anthony) Cardone; sisters-in-law, Marilyn "Mimi" Winters, Linda (Phil) Fink, Patricia (Tom) Shannon, and Susan (Jonathan) Russell, and all of their families.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Marilyn (Winters) Edly; brother, Joe Edly; and brother-in-law, William Winters.
Friends and family may call at the REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, 5-7 P.M., Thursday, January 26, 2023. An Elks Service will be held at 7 P.M., followed by a Vigil Service.
The family requests that memorials in John's name be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Road, Newark, Ohio 43055.
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