Mary E. Ashby, age 70, of Centerville died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville.
She was born on Feb. 3, 1937 in Mystic, and was raised by her grandparents, Herbert and Isabella Stolz. She graduated from the Mystic Community Schools in 1955.
On March 2, 1955, Mary was united in marriage to Clarence Ashby in Unionville, Mo. She worked for a time at the Centerville National Bank as a janitor and also worked at the Mystic Theater for a time. Later, she and Clarence were involved in running bingo at the Elks Club, American Legion Hall, and the armory or at the Pancake Day Bingo Tent. They enjoyed helping raise money for different projects, like the soldiers in Desert Storm or maybe for the Centerville Pool; they wanted to do their part. She was active in the local CB Club, where her handle was "Toots". One of her life's passions was collecting dolls, which she cherished and cared for.
She is preceded in death by: her mother, who died when Mary was 3 days old; and her grandparents, Herbert and Isabella Stolz.
Mary is survived by: her husband of 52 years, Clarence Ashby of Centerville; sons, Herbert and his wife, Teresa Ashby of Eldon and Russell and his wife, Laura Ashby of Albia; daughters, Eloise Messamaker and Lisa and her husband, Paul Baker all of Centerville; grandchildren, Joshua and Amber Ashby, Tony and Matt Messamaker, Jocelyn Casteel, Travis Ashby, Michelea, Amanda, Chelsey and Jessica Baker; step-grandchildren, Tony, Shayne, Stacy and Heather Hughes; great-grandchildren, Joshua Ashby, Jr., Quinton, Keaton and Kaelyn Casteel, Ethan, Ryan and Issac Messamaker and Emily Mikles; step-great grandchild, Lathan Hughes.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville with Rev. Brian Hargrave officiating. Burial will follow at the Haines Cemetery north of Centerville. Visitation will be held on today, Tuesday, from 1 pm till 8 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville with the family present from 6 till 8 p.m.
Memorials can be made to the Hospice of Central Iowa and can be left at the funeral home. The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Centerville, Iowa is caring for the Ashby family at the time and condolences can be sent at: schmidtfamilyfuneralhome.com
