Charles B. Ashley

OBITUARY: Charles Bennett "Ben" Ashley

Charles Bennett "Ben" Ashley, 85, Topeka, died Sun., Jan. 4, 2009, at Midland Hospice House. He was born May 5, 1923, at Shawnee, OK, the son of John W. and Sally B. (Massey) Ashley. Ben attended high school at Boswell, OK.

He worked in CCC Camps in Wyoming for 2 years before serving in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945, and received the Victory Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and Meritous Unit Award. He was stationed at Winter General Hospital. Ben worked at the V.A. Hospital in Topeka from 1945 to 1947; Santa Fe 1947-1955; and Whelan's Lumber from 1955 to 1985, where he retired. He was a member of Topeka North Post # 400 of the American Legion. With his sons, he was active in Tecumseh Troop 18, B.S.A.

Ben was married to Betty Nadine Disney on Dec. 15, 1944, at Lyndon. She survives. Other survivors include 3 sons: Ron Ashley of Hot Springs, AR, Steve Ashley of Topeka, and Chris Ashley of Berryton; a brother: J.W. Ashley of Fairfield, CA; 4 sisters: Betty Carlos, Jo Franks, and Bobbi Curtwright all of Modesto, CA, and Pat Romer of Bakersfield, CA; 10 grandchildren: Ginger Ashley, Rebecca Michael, Heather Petersen, Amy Blow, Sage Ashley, Aaron May Ashley, Whitney Ashley-Breckenridge, Johnathon Ashley, Charles Ashley, and Amber Ashley; and 7 great-grandchildren: Zachary, Megan, & Emily Michael, Brooke & Astrid Petersen, and Hannah & Maddy Blow.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM, Fri., Jan. 9, 2009, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence. Interment in Topeka Cemetery. Ben will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Thurs., at the funeral chapel, where the family will receive friends from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM, Fri. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606-2800 or Jayhawk Area Council, B.S.A., 1020 SE Monroe, Topeka, KS 66612.