Maj Jimmy L. Erdly

Jimmy L. Erdly, 60, of rural Ligonier, died at 3:46 a.m. Sunday, January 03, 2010 at Parkview Main Hospital, Fort Wayne.

He was born January 21, 1949 at Luckey Hospital, Wolf Lake, Indiana a son of Evart F. and Pauline (Bair) Erdly. His formative years were spent in Wolf Lake. He graduated from Wolf Lake High School in 1967.

He attended Huntington College. On April 7, 1969 he was inducted in the U.S. Army. He served as an infantryman in Vietnam. He earned the rank of Sergeant and was released from active duty on April 6, 1971. He entered the Indiana National Guard. In December 1976, he was prompted to 2nd Lieutenant. During his tenure, he was the Infantry Company Commander twice and state area Commander for seven years. He served as the State Marksman Coordinator, Assistant State Inspector General, Battalion Logistics Officer and Assistant Brigade Logistics Officer. Among his many medals are 5 Bronze Stars, three of which were earned during his service in Vietnam. He retired in 1994 with the rank of Major. He had a combined service to the military of over 25 years.

On April 1, 1999, he was united in marriage to Norma J. Gray. They made their home in rural Ligonier.

He was the owner operator of the Kimmel Inn Tavern since 1988 and for the past four years he was the Veterans Service Officer for Noble County.

His memberships included VFW Post 4717, past commander, Wolf Lake, American Legion Post 246, past commander, Albion, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Ligonier and Masonic Lodge, Cromwell.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Norma; two brothers, Charles Erdly, Linton, IN and David (Sherry) Erdly of Albion; brother-in-law, Fred Colen, Albion; nephews, Anthony Erdly, Timothy Erdly, Todd Erdly, David Erdly; nieces, Anita Woodward, Lisa Purichia, Paulette Lannan, Kimberly Erdly, Katie Erdly; 5 great nieces, 5 great nephews and 5 great-great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, William Erdly and sister, Kayanne Colen.

The funeral will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial will be at Wolf Lake Cemetery with Indiana National Guard presenting honors. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to American Lung Association or Vietnam Veterans of America.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 12 2022, 22:38:15 UTC