James "Eldie" Davis, age 53 of Elwood, died Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood after a sudden illness. He was born November 16, 1958 in Elwood, the son of Fred and Mary E. (Alexander) Davis. He served the city of Elwood as a police officer on the Elwood Police Department for more than 17 years. He graduated from Elwood Community High School in 1977 and later attended the Plainfield Police Academy for specialized police training. He married Leia A. Davis on August 1, 1981. Eldie was a former member of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Elwood and most recently attended the New Beginnings Fellowship Church in Elwood. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police; formerly served as an Elwood City Councilman; and also formerly served as President of the Elwood City Council. He was an avid Notre Dame Football fan and enjoyed coaching youth football, middle school football, and Pee Wee baseball in Elwood. He collected Snoopy memorabilia, and was a member of the Dodge Viper Car Club. He was a devoted son, husband, father and grandfather. Most recently, Eldie was asked by Mayor Ron Arnold to serve on the Board of Works for the City of Elwood, and Eldie was looking forward to this service.

Survivors include: Parents – Fred and Mary E. Davis of Elwood; Wife of 30 years – Leia A. Davis of Elwood; 2 Sons – John (wife Chelsea) Davis of Elwood and Anthony Davis (special friend Kelly Stover) both of Elwood; Beloved Granddaughter – Olivia Davis of Elwood; Mother-in-Law – Laura Davis of Anderson; Aunts and Uncles – Don & Linda Waltermire of Elwood, Jim Alexander of Elwood, and Patty Hunsberger of Alexandria; Special Cousins – Mary Kay (Domenick) Degani and Phoebe (Brandon) Graham; Special Pet Beagles - "Shemp" and "Sheba"; and many more cousins.

He was preceded in death by: Maternal Grandparents – James and Opal Alexander; and Paternal Grandparents – Charles and Mary Rosella Davis.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Monday January 9, 2012 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Pastor Larry Metz, Pastor Joe Collier, and Mayor Ron Arnold officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Elwood. Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 PM Sunday, January 8, 2012 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home with the Elwood Police Department serving as honor guard. Memorial contributions may be made to the Olivia Davis scholarship fund through the funeral home. Online condolences: www.copherfeslermay.com.