ASHLEY

Donald “Don” Ray Ashley, 81, of Sparta, IL; born on April 7, 1940 in Sparta, IL the son of James and Lela (Buescher) Ashley; passed away on Sunday, August 8, 2021 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, IL.

He worked at World Color Press in Sparta, IL as a pressman for many years.  Don was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sparta and was always a Christian that put God first when making any decisions in life.  He was an avid baseball fan, but his true pride and joy was watching his grandkids play ball.  Don was a kind and loving father that was always there for his children.  He enjoyed woodworking projects, gardening, and driving his 1966 Thunderbird.

He was preceded in death by his parents;  twin children – Daniel and David Ashley; brothers – James Ashley, Eugene Ashley, Bill Ashley, and Leland Ashley; sisters –  Iva May Estoppey, Doris Wahl, Marcella Henderson, Georgia Ann Rezba; brother-in-law – Harry Denninger.

Don is survived by his loving wife – Carol (Denninger) Ashley of Sparta, IL to whom he married June 18, 1983 in Fort Kaskaskia, IL; three children –  Bruce Ashley of Sparta, IL, Randall (Terri) Ashley of O’Fallon, IL, and Jodi (Scott) Cox of Smithton, IL; eight grandchildren – Jennifer (fiancé, Ashley Quinton) Ashley, Justin (Keara) Ashley, Shania White, Martina (fiancé, Clay Sherwood) Ashley, Ryan Cox, Matthew Cox, Elisabeth Cox, and Dawson Ashley; grandson-in-law – Adam White; six great grandchildren – Emma, Stella, Noah, Myles, Cameron, and Kade; two brothers – Roger (Eldonna) Ashley of Zanesville, OH and Carl (Linda) Ashley of Ventura, CA; three sisters-in-law – Elaine Uchtmann Poggi, Betty Ashley, and Sharon Hibler; brother-in-law – Don Wahl; three step grandchildren – Codie Basse, Laci Little, and Jami Cobb;   other relatives and friends.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery Maintenance Fund in Bremen, IL or First United Methodist Church in Sparta, IL.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.heilschuessler.com.

Visitation: Family and friends may gather at the First United Methodist Church in Sparta, IL on Friday, August 13, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, August 14, 2021 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Funeral: Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Sparta, IL on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Randy McGeehon officiating.

Interment: Burial will be held at Caledonia Cemetery in Sparta, IL.

Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home in Sparta, IL is in charge of arrangements

1. Geanette Wilson says:

   02/26/2022 at 3:29 pm

   Hello Carol, Sorry for the delay in hearing about Don’s passing. He always appeared as a friendly and kind person. Praying for your strength and will never forget your support to our IMPACK Program. May the Lord bless you with strength to continue in the days to come. I share in your sorrow. I am here if you need me.

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2. Roger Bartram says:

   10/05/2021 at 2:04 pm

   Hello Ashley Family. I am Roger Bartram. I knew Don when we were boys and growing up in Sparta. For a while we lived across the street on Main Street. May your memories bring you comfort and the promise from God that the dead will live again. John 5:28,29

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3. Roger Bartra says:

   10/05/2021 at 2:03 pm

   Hello Ashley Family. I am Roger Bartram. I knew Don when we were boys and growing up in Sparta. For a while we lived across the street on Main Street. May your memories bring you comfort and the promise from God that the dead will live again. John 5:28,29

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4. Lela Gillespie Neisler says:

   08/23/2021 at 8:34 am

   Our sympathy to the family. Don was one of the first men Randy worked with at SPC in the ’60s. I became friends with Joyce. I was sorry to see Tabby passed away.

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5. Linda Boston says:

   08/13/2021 at 7:00 pm

   Carol, I’m so sorry for your loss. He was an amazing person. He was always smiling when you saw him. So nice and kind to everyone. It was Truly an honor to have known him. God bless your family.
   Sincerely, Linda Boston
   Quincy, IL

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6. James Colvis says:

   08/13/2021 at 4:53 pm

   Don and I played lots of softball together and enjoyed some fun times. Our families visited back and forth when the kids were small. He was a good friend and will be missed. You will be in my prayers. I would have come in person but with the Covid-19 numbers rising, I decided to offer my condolences on line.

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7. Karen Sheely says:

   08/12/2021 at 10:11 am

   Carol and family, I am so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. While “we can only imagine”, Don is smiling down from Heaven. I will be lifting your family in prayer.

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8. Perry Brooks says:

   08/11/2021 at 4:42 pm

   Sorry for your loss, I worked with Don at Spartan Printing in the 80s, nice guy,Prayers for you all

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9. Bette Bradley says:

   08/10/2021 at 7:22 pm

   So sorry for your loss, Carol. Prayers for you and all who loved Don.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

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10. Paul wisely says:

    08/10/2021 at 2:58 pm

    My thoughts to all the family I worked with Don atSPC he was a outstanding man was helping when he could fly High Don RIP

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