John Henry Ashby, age 67, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 9:45 P.M. on Monday, February 17, 2014 at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Marion, Illinois. He was born on July 17, 1946 in Centralia, Illinois, the son of Herbert Douglas and Geraldine (Spears) Ashby.
Mr. Ashby is survived by 1 son John “Sam” Ashby, Jr. of Springfield, Illinois, 2 daughters Jodie Ramsey of Centralia, Illinois, Deborah Ruiz of Centralia, Illinois, 4 grandchildren Brittany Miller, Blake Miller, Tana Simcox and Ericka Ruiz, 6 great grandchildren, 6 brothers Donald Ashby of Centralia, Illinois, Tyrone Ashby of Centralia, Illinois, Robert Ashby and wife Lisa of Florida, William Ashby and wife Sherry of Florida, Michael Ashby and wife Jeanie of North Carolina and Jim Ashby and wife Mary of Lebanon, Tennessee, 4 sisters Linda Carter of Centralia, Illinois, Ellen Crenshaw and husband Terry of Centralia, Illinois, Vickey Alli and husband Larry of Centralia, Illinois and Karen Frazier of Mississippi and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Ashby was preceded in death by his parents, lifetime companion Paula Simcox, brother Roger Ashby and sister Gladys Hart.
Mr. Ashby was a U.S. Marine Sergeant who served his country during the Vietnam Conflict from 1967 to 1969. He was a former member of the Centralia V.F.W. Post # 2055. He loved hunting, fishing and tending to his garden. He enjoyed the time he spent with his family especially his grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mr. Ashby's family mentioned that he had a great sense of humor even up to his passing. He lived all of his life in Centralia, Illinois.
Celebration of Life Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, February 21, 2014 at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois with Claude Howell Officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois with Military Honors accorded by the Centralia V.F.W. Post 2055 and American Legion Post 446. Friends may call from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at the funeral home. Memorials can be made in Mr. Ashby's honor to the American Cancer Society and will be received by the Moran Queen~Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.
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