John Edward Bigelow Ely

John was born in Wichita, KS to Fred and Lillian (Johnson) Ely on February 5, 1959. During his childhood he lived many places including Japan as his father was in the US Army. John graduated from High School in Eugene, OR and joined the US Coast Guard and later transferred to the US Navy as a medic. He met his future wife, Michelle Julian, while working for McDonald’s restaurant. They were married in Eugene, OR on August 3, 1980.

John and his family moved to Las Vegas, NV in 1991 and then later to Henderson. John attended UNLV and graduated in 1997. While in school, he worked as a process server to support his family. In 1996, John and Michelle started Southern Nevada Process Service turning over the reins to their oldest daughter and changing the name to ACE Executive Services in 2014. Over the years John’s clients came to rely on his honesty, integrity and work ethic. He took care of his clients and they were loyal to him. John LOVED to watch sports, especially his beloved Oregon Ducks playing football and basketball. The San Francisco 49ers were his favorite pro team. He was a life-long fan! This love of sports was passed on to his four children as each of them played soccer, basketball and baseball throughout their childhood. When he wasn’t watching a game, you could find John out on the lake, riding jet skis with his family or playing at the dog park with one of the many dogs he owned throughout his life.

John was preceded in death by his only son, Anthony Christian Ely, both of his parents, and his paternal Aunt Mary Lane Fichtenau. John is survived by his heartbroken wife, Michelle; his brother Charles and wife Nicole; his maternal Aunt Charleene Briggs; his three daughters, Jennifer Harhay and husband Mitchell, Amanda Powell and Kencie Ely; granddaughters Annison and Lillian Harhay, grandson Camden and granddaughter Carrigan Powell; Sisters-in-law, Heidi Smothers, Rebecca Stanley and husband Jon; brother-in-law Garth Julian; nieces Meagan Roberts and husband William, Mackenzie Julian and Hayden Smothers; nephews Allen Ely, AJ Turkington and wife Cori, Clayton Smothers and wife Sarah, Matthew Julian, Taylor Smothers, Zakary Julian, Zane Stanley and Noah Stanley. In addition, John had many more friends and family, too numerous to name.

John’s Memorial and Celebration of life will be held on Saturday August 17th, 2019 at 11 am; Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2 S Pecos Rd., Henderson, NV 89074.

In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to Christ the Servant Lutheran Church or a children’s charity in John’s name.