Ellen Ann Tekely

Ellen Ann (Snider) Tekely of Bellaire, Ohio passed away on February 28, 2021. Ellen was born March 31, 1935, in Wheeling, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Lawrence W. Snider and Frances M. (Toben) Snider. She was a retired employee of The Bellaire City School District and a Member of the First United Church, Bellaire serving in many service positions and being a lay leader of The United Methodist Women, and the World Federation of Methodist & Uniting Church Women. Ellen also worked as a switchboard operator for Ohio Valley General Hospital, Wheeling.
Ellen will be long remembered for her years of love and kindness she displayed, in her actions, by caring for a number of elderly family members over the decades and every Christmas season she always made sure that the Belmont County Children’s Home were delivered big tins of popcorn by her service work through Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Ellen was a Bellaire High School sweetheart to her husband, James Sr., deceased, whereupon Jim was a three-time OVAC team Champion in football and track and OHSAA 5-time District & OVAC sprint Champion. Ellen proudly supported Jim every step of the way. She was a 1951, Homecoming attendant for Bellaire High School where she was an honor student, a graduate of Bellaire High School and a member of BHS Alumni Association. Jim and Ellen were married on June 26, 1958. As a Certified Education Aide, Ellen always made sure every one of her students made a loving card for their parents for the Holiday Season.
Ellen supported many women’s causes and her husband’s many public service campaigns in the Ohio Valley. Ellen was a Founding Member of the Beta Sigma Phi, West Virginia Torchbearer Eta Chapter 320, and a 50 year Member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She was a proud member of School Employee Retirees of Ohio, Inc., and an active OAPSE member. Ellen was also a member of The Order of the Eastern Star Captina Chapter No. 489 and supporter of the Ohio Eastern Star Home, Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James F. Tekely Sr., a son, Jeffrey S. Tekely, and a sister, Marlene C. Boccabella. Surviving are a son, James F. (Vickie) Tekely Jr., Glen Dale, WV, two grandchildren Chad M. Tekely and Lauren M. Tekely, whom Ellen shared great love and fun. Ellen was proud of three (3) German Shepherd dogs over the years; Brenny being her latest, loyal, companion. Also, surviving are a sister, Beverly M. Ray, of Bellaire and a sister-in-law, Rhoda J. Paul, of St. Clairsville, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Family and friends will be received on Friday, March 5 from 9:30 until time of service at Noon, at Care Funeral Chapel, 204 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950 with Pastor Tom Jones, of Thoburn United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Union Cemetery, St. Clairsville, Ohio. A summer event is being planned by friends and family celebrating the life of Ellen & Jim Tekely, as future circumstances permit.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church, Bellaire, Ohio through TMCFunding.com. Share your thoughts and memories with Ellen’s family at carechapel.com