Bom-Wrapper

This Book of Memories memorial website is designed to be a permanent tribute paying tribute to the life and memory of Barbara Ashby. It allows family and friends a place to re-visit, interact with each other, share and enhance this tribute for future generations. We are both pleased and proud to provide the Book of Memories to the families of our community.

Thank you.

Cancel
Select Candle

Obituary for Barbara J. Ashby

Barbara J. Ashby, nee Vaught, aged 79, died at St. Paul’s Home in Belleville, Illinois, on Saturday, August 19, 2017. Barbara was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on January 29, 1938, and grew up in Kokomo, Indiana. She graduated from Kokomo High School in 1956. She was secretary of her senior class and enjoyed attending many class reunions over the following decades.

Barbara married her husband, Sam Ashby, in 1959. His career in the U.S. Air Force through 1975 had them stationed in Indiana, Ohio, Okinawa, California, England, and Oklahoma. They considered each move an adventure and a challenge to make a new home and establish new friends and relationships. Barbara and Sam then lived in Mulvane, Kansas from 1975-1996. After Sam’s death, Barbara moved to Wichita, Kansas, where she resided until 2006. She then moved to Illinois and resided in the O’Fallon area from 2006 until her death.

As a young woman, Barbara worked as a bank employee in Kokomo, Indiana; later as a volunteer with the Special Education Department at a local grade school in Dayton, Ohio; and last of all as a receptionist in the optometry office of Dr. Kevin Cline in Mulvane, Kansas. She was primarily a homemaker and devoted mother who was also quite active in church and civic organizations. Throughout the years, she was a member of a bowling league, a co-leader of Girl Scout troops in Oklahoma and Kansas, and a coordinator of neighborhood gatherings. She was an active member of the Mulvane United Methodist Church, including serving with United Methodist Women, teaching Sunday school classes, and directing church plays. She helped deliver Meals on Wheels and crocheted countless baby afghans for local charities, as well as for friends and family members. She served in various roles within the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and served as president of the 5th District for the GFWC of Kansas. Barbara served on the Mulvane Library Board and was sought after for her highly praised book review presentations. She also won a number of awards for art and handiwork. When she lived in Wichita, Barbara was an active member of the Silver Melodears, a large choir of senior citizens who gave many concerts in the Wichita area. While living in O’Fallon, she sang for a while with the choir at Union United Methodist Church, and she was a member of the O’Fallon Woman’s Club. Barbara was also the long-time sponsor of a child from Romania through the Christian Children’s Fund. She loved children, good music, her faithful pets, and above all, time with her family and friends. She will be sorely missed.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Sam Ashby; her son-in-law, Ray Ontiveros; her brother-in-law, Arthur Alexander; her sister-in-law, Joyce Alexander; her brother-in-law, Chuck Ashby; and her sister-in-law, Pat Ashby.

She is survived by her children, Kathleen Ashby Ontiveros of Belleville; Jeffrey Ashby (Lucy) of Decatur, Georgia; and Jennifer Ashby of Rockville, Maryland; as well as her grandchildren, Samuel, John, Isaac, and Elizabeth Ashby, all of Decatur, Georgia. She is also survived by her two sisters, Mary Jo Conwell (Gail) of Sun City, Arizona, and their children, Phil and Todd, and their families; and Linda Phillabaum (Paul) of Syracuse, Indiana, and their children, Mark and Carol, and their families; as well as by her niece and nephew from Sam’s side of the family, Debbie Ashby and Rob Ashby.
Barbara will also be fondly remembered by numerous others, including Neil Christensen, Alex Christensen, Cindy Ontiveros, and many good friends from the various places she lived. This includes friends from Union United Methodist Church, Mulvane United Methodist Church, Grand Manor Independent Living Center, and Cedarhurst Assisted Living/Memory Care Center.

Visitation will be at Smith Mortuary in Mulvane, Kansas, from 5 until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 23.
A private graveside service will be scheduled at Mulvane Cemetery in Mulvane, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Order Flowers
Recently Shared Condolences
Recently Lit Memorial Candles
Recently Shared Stories
Recently Shared Photos
Share by: