George "Ed" Alley

It is with great sadness that the family of Ed Alley announces his passing as a result of complications from the coronavirus on June 10, 2020.

Rev. George Edward Alley was born November 19, 1934 to parents Floyd Rufus and Olive (Beck) Alley, who both predeceased him. Ed has been referred to as a pioneer in the Pastoral Counseling Field in Indianapolis. He received his B.S., from Ball State University, his D.Min, from Garrett Theological Seminary, and his M.Min, from Christian Theological Seminary.

He was a Clinical Member in The American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy. He was a Diplomate in The American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

He held State Licensures for Marriage & Family Therapy and from the Academy of Certified Social Workers. He served as the first President of the Indiana Association for Marriage & Family Therapy.

Rev. Alley also served in parish ministry for more than 15 years in the Northern and Southern Districts of The United Methodist Church, with his last Appointment being an Associate Minister at North United Methodist Church, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ed was a Clinician, Training Director, and finally Executive Director of the Raines Pastoral Counseling Center. He concluded his career working for many years in private practice in Marriage & Family Therapy & Pastoral Counseling at Kairos Center for the Family, which he co-founded and operated along with his wife of nearly 33 years, Susan Whitney Alley.

Ed was involved in the Mankind Project and had served as the National Mankind Project Chair and Indiana Elder Chair. He was Past President of the Central Indiana Bicycling Association, played euphonium in the Greenwood Community Band, the Indianapolis Symphonic Band, and North’s Winds of North United Methodist Church. He also sang in The Shepherd’s Center Choir at North United Methodist Church.

Ed also enjoyed acting, having acted in several plays at the Christian Theological Seminary Repertory Theatre. In his later years, he loved traveling, and ventured throughout the United States (including Alaska) and into the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, Europe and Australia.
Ed loved music, basketball, bicycling, camping and outdoor activities. He became a published poet late in life with his 2019 book “The Big Listener.”

Perhaps most importantly, he loved being around his family.

Ed was married to Susan Whitney Alley for close to 33 years, having been married July 4, 1987. He was married to Reene Shue Alley (deceased), for 29 years. He had four sisters, Janine Alley (deceased), Wanda Alley Kreutzfeldt, Mary Alley Boughton (Jack) (both deceased) and Nancy Alley Heller (Tom); he had four children: Jay William Alley, Carol Lynne Alley (deceased), Carijane Alley Kluger (Richard) and Steven Edward Alley; two stepdaughters, Kathryn Kreider (Sean Jackson) and Dr. Kristen Kreider (James O’Leary); seven grandchildren, Maxwell, Jennifer (Nick), Eric, Patrick, Brittni, Kalea and Alexandra; and three great-grandchildren, Ryleigh, Lexi and Jack.

Ed had been a strong advocate of civil and human rights to the end of his life; this commitment is encapsulated in a story. Ed had a stroke 25 years ago, which affected his vision for a while. In recovery, he told a friend, “I can’t see to the right.” to which the friend responded, with a smile, “Ed, you’ve never been able to see to the Right.”

Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, a celebration of Ed’s life will be held at a later date with details to follow in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be sent to:

North United Methodist Church in Indianapolis

The Student Scholarship in the name of G. Edward Alley & Susan Whitney Alley

Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60201

The American Civil Liberties Union

Organizations which support the BLACK LIVES MATTER movement

Or, a charity of your choosing