Bobbie Joe Ashley, 88, of Lebanon passed away on August 15, 2019 at Homewood Health Campus in Lebanon. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 19, 1931. A son of the late Joseph and Evelyn (Ward) Ashley.
Bobbie was a 1951 graduate of Lebanon High School, where he was an outstanding football player. After high school graduation he attended one year at Butler and played football as a freshman.
On May 16, 1952, in Lebanon, Indiana he was married to Myrtle Ruth (Davis) Ashley. She passed away on December 20, 2008.
Bobbie served as a Sergeant First Class in the Indiana Army National Guard for twenty-five years. He began his career at Lynde Air later known as Union Carbide. He then went to work for Lebanon Community School Corporation as a custodian and bus driver at the Perry Worth elementary school. He later worked as the Lebanon Parks Department as Superintendent and retired from the Lebanon Street Department in maintenance, retiring in 1994.
Bobbie was a member of Central Christian Church, Moose Lodge, VFW, American Legion and the Eagles Club, all of Lebanon.
He was devoted to his family. He loved his basset hounds and coaching kids in all sports. He enjoyed NASCAR, camping at Broad View Campground and volunteering at the Lebanon Boys and Girls Club where he also served on the board. Bobbie was thoroughly involved in his community throughout the years: he was instrumental in starting the Boone County Youth Football, Lebanon Babe Ruth President, 50+ years as Tiger season ticket holder and Indy Car ticket holder.
Survivors:
Two Children: Robert “Bubs” Joe (Sandy) Ashley of Lebanon
Rebecca “Becky” (Alan) Bridge of Champaign, Illinois
Five Grandchildren: Andrea (Jeramiah) Westerfield of Zionsville,
Alicia (Michael) Gramlin of Lebanon
Ashley (Brandon) Boswell of California
Addison Aina of Champaign, Illinois
Avery (Erica) Aina of Champaign, Illinois
Ten Great Grandchildren
Half-Brother: Thomas Clossin of Florida
In addition to his parents and wife, Bobbie was preceded in death by a grandson, Adam Jay Ashley; two brothers, Arthur Michael Ashley and Bill Ashley; and a half-sister, Jane Clossin.
Visitation is planned for Monday, August 19, 2019 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary 1502 North Lebanon Street, Lebanon, Indiana.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20 at the funeral home in Lebanon. Interment with military rites will follow services at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.
Memorials may be made in his memory to the Lebanon Area Boys and Girls Club, 403 West Main Street, Lebanon, IN 46052.
