Jerry L. Ely, age 76 of Pioneer passed away early Sunday morning at his home.  He was born November 7, 1937 in Hillsdale County, Michigan to Rush W. and Flossie (Keck) Ely.  On June 2, 1979, he married Sharon M. (Greenwood) Prentice in Angola, Indiana and she survives. After 46 years, Jerry retired in 1999 as a backhoe operator for the Norfolk Southern Railroad. He had formerly worked for the Wabash Railroad and the Norfolk Western Railroad. Jerry was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Montpelier, the Bryan Eagles and the Williams County Farm Bureau. Jerry is survived by his wife Sharon, two daughters: Terri (Pat) Geren of Montpelier, Vicci Merrick of Kendallville, Indiana; two 2 sons: Scott (Dianna) Ely of Bryan and Sam (Bridgett) Ely of Bowling Green, Ohio; one step-daughter: Lisa (Jim) Esterline of Montpelier;  three brothers: Chester (Jeanie) Ely of Avon Park, Florida, Robert (Julaine) Ely of Montpelier and Tom (Jacki) Ely of Arcadia, Florida; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son: Steve Ely in June of 1988 and two brothers: Ralph and Richard Ely. Visitation for Jerry will be Tuesday August 12th from 2-8 P.M. at the Thompson Funeral Home in Montpelier. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home with Pastor Paul Gruetter to officiate. Burial will follow at Floral Grove Cemetery in Pioneer. Preferred memorials are to the Community Health Professionals Hospice or to St. John's Lutheran Church.