STEPHEN ELY

Stephen Andrew Ely, age 65, of Stanford, Kentucky, formerly of Middlesboro, went home to be with the Lord on June 30, 2026 with his family by his side.

He was born June 9, 1961 in South Gate, California to the late Willard Ely and Opal Mae Peters Ely.

In his early life, Steve was born and raised in South Gate, later moving to Kentucky where he graduated from Middlesboro High School in 1979. He went on to become a teacher, coach, mentor and friend to many in his thirty plus years in education. He harbored a deep love for sports - not only rooted in the fascination of the game itself - but likewise the opportunities it presented for him to make an impact on the students and players he encountered. He coached in a variety of sports spanning across various states including Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida.

When Steve wasn’t on the field or court, you could find him spending time with his family, enjoying travel and seeking new adventures and experiences.

Above the love of the game and his family, Steve was a Christian with a profound love for the Lord, who enjoyed worshipping at Living Water Church in Danville, Kentucky where he was a member. It is a comfort to know he has been healed and is in the presence of Jesus forevermore.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert “Bob” Ely.

Left to cherish his memory are his family whom he loved ferociously, wife Melissa Wilford Ely, sons Eric Ely and wife Valerie, Chase Ely and wife Holly, Coty Walters and wife Lauren, daughter Catie Partin and husband Harrison, grandchildren Matthan, Layna, Josie, Jonas, Gideon, Camilla, Gabriel Ely, Brooklyn Partin, Maggie and Lilly Walters, brothers Bill Ely and wife Katy, Tim Ely and wife Susan, father and mother-in- law Don and Dolly Wilford, his fur babies Tucker and Skye, as well as a host of many nieces, nephews, other relatives, players and friends too numerous to name, but all who will miss him so dearly.

The family of Steve Ely will receive friends from 12 noon until 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026 at Green Hills Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 3, 2026 at the Green Hills Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Matthew Robbins officiating. Music will be provided by Valerie Ely.

Graveside Services will immediately follow at Green Hills Memorial Gardens, Middlesboro, Kentucky.

Pallbearers will be Eric Ely, Chase Ely, Coty Walters, Harrison Partin, Charlie Ely, Andrew Ely, Allen Wilford, Mike Ely and Rhett Cooper.

Green Hills Funeral Home, Middlesboro, is honored to serve the Ely family.

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