Alva Eley

Alva Eugene Eley, age 88, a resident of rural Portland, passed away on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. 

Alva was born Aug. 22, 1937, in Union City, Ohio. He was raised by his grandmother, Ida, on her farm near Bluff Point. He married Wanda Nixon in 1958 and raised two sons, Robert and James. He worked as a millwright welder for 37 years at the Anchor Hocking Glass factory in Winchester. He owned and operated a farm south of Bluff Point. He could fix just about anything.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be missed. 

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Wanda; his sons Robert and James; granddaughters Milissa and Wanda; step-granddaughters Tina, Jean and Alison; step-great-granddaughters Angel and Tory; and great-grandson Alexander.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home in Portland. Burial will follow at Bluff Point Cemetery, south of Portland.