R. Catherine ""Kate"" Ashby's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Heaven was blessed with another angel as Ruth Catherine Ashby, age 89, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on Tuesday, June 10, 2014. Visitation for family and friends will be held Thursday, June 12, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. until Noon at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating her life will be held at Noon on Thursday at the funeral chapel immediately following the visitation with Reverend Bill Hall officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston. It is requested that thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the Coles County Animal Shelter. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Kate, as she was affectionately known, was born on February 22, 1925 in Loxa, Illinois to the late Orville and Ruby J. (Sharp) Dow. She married Eugene (Gene) L. Ashby on December 5, 1941 and they shared 42 years of marriage prior to his death on September 28, 1984. She is survived by seven of her eight children, Linda Hildebrand and lifelong partner Bill Hallowell, Barbara Barnes, Jerry Ashby and wife Kim, all of Charleston; Randy Ashby of Erlanger, KY, Gayle Behning and husband Steve of Camargo, IL, Judy Brown and husband Mike of Mattoon, and Steve Ashby and wife Connie of Garland, TX; nine grandchildren, Missi Starwalt and husband Greg, Jennifer Hildebrand and special friend Doug James, Kevin Barnes and wife Karrie, Jeremy Barnes, Cory Barnes, Kara Pearcy and special friend Dan Cooper, Kevin Pearcy and wife Kristin, Michelle Mewes and Catherine Ashby; 16 great-grandchildren with another on the way; 5 great-great-grandchildren; a brother, David Dow and wife Linda of Charleston; two sisters, Betty O'Dell of Mattoon and Alice Boorom of Cocoa Beach, FL; a sister-in-law, Mildred Ashby of Charleston; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. She also leaves her special canine companion, Pedro. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by a son, Robert Ashby; two grandsons, Jason and Jerry Hildebrand; two brothers, Joe and Robert Dow; and a sister, Judy Dow. Kate was employed for many years at Moore Business Forms. She worked at Wrangler Roast Beef for a brief time before accepting a position with Wal-Mart. She became a familiar and welcoming face at Wal-Mart as their greeter and customer service representative. She regularly attended Charleston Community Church and was a long-time member of the Women of the Moose Charleston Chapter #1175. Kate was an avid reader and enjoyed spending time at home working in her yard and tending to her flowers and plants. She was fond of animals and her pets always held a special place in her heart. She was also a collector of knick-knacks, enjoyed traveling and decorating her home for the Christmas season. She loved her family dearly and hosting Sunday and holiday family dinners were special and memorable times for her. Kate will always be fondly and lovingly remembered by her family and friends.
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