Gerald L. “Jerry” Ash
Gerald L. “Jerry” Ash, 81, of Kewanna, went to be with the Lord at 11:32 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, at the Auburn Village Skilled Nursing Facility in Auburn.
He was born on Oct. 21, 1938, in Winamac, to the late Argyl and Kathryn (Graffis) Ash. Jerry graduated from Winamac High School in 1956 and earned his bachelor’s degree at Indiana State University in 1961. Jerry married Judith Lebo on Feb. 5, 1961, at the Methodist Church in Winamac.
He taught at Willowdale Elementary for four years. Willowdale was the smallest elementary in the Elkhart school system. He was teacher and coach to fifth and sixth graders. One of those years his team won the city championship. While teaching, he was a candidate for “Teacher of the Year.”
He went on to work at CTS Corporation in Elkhart for 14 years as personnel director. While employed there he was voted “Boss of the Year” by the American Business Women’s Association.
After leaving CTS he was employed by Miles Laboratories which later became Bayer Cooperation. He served as a human resources director/security in their diagnostic division. For many years, he also coordinated their executive development program, a joint venture with the University of Notre Dame. He retired from Bayer Corporation in 2000.
Jerry served on the following boards: Elkhart Industrial Club, president; Elkhart Career Center (also teaching a class at night); United Way, chairman; Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, board member (16 years); Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, president (seven years); St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Elkhart, board of trustees; Granger Community Church, administrative board; Lake Bruce Association, board president; Mahseh Center, board of directors; and Newmar Kountry Klub, Indiana State Director (with wife Judy for two years).
After retirement, Jerry and Judy traveled extensively in their motor home. They moved to Lake Bruce, from Granger in 2006.
Jerry loved the Lord and his family. He loved telling his made up stories of “Sarah and Levi” to his grandchildren and playing catch with his grandsons. After having brain surgery in 2013, his struggles were many. But, he fought the good fight. We love you Jerry, Dad and Grandpa; God loves you more. You will be greatly missed. We will see you again in Heaven. “The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you” – Deuteronomy 33:27
He is survived by his wife Judith Lebo Ash of Kewanna; sons: Greg [Sue] Ash of South Bend, and Brian Ash of South Bend; grandchildren: Teigan Ash of Mishawaka, Macenzie Ash of Bloomington, Haley Ash of Granger, Madison Ash of Granger, Wyatt Ash of South Bend, Brodie Ash of South Bend, and Dane Jordan of South Bend; and sister Judy [Steve] Skersick of Greenwood.
He was preceded in death by his parents Argyl and Kathryn (Graffis) Ash.
Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, at the Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 22, at Frain Mortuary. Burial will take place at Saint Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Mishawaka, at 2 p.m. Friday, May 22.
Memorial contributions may be made to Focus on the Family.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
*Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitation will be limited to groups of ten guests and social distancing. Sign up for visitation at www.frainmortuary.com or by calling the funeral home at 574-946-3222. While there are no longer limitations on the number of guests for funeral services, social distancing must be observed at all times.
(Pulaski County Journal — May 20, 2020)