Eldon "Ash" Aeschliman

Eldon E. “Ash” Aeschliman, age 91, of Topeka, Kansas, died on January 24, 2025 at The Gardens at Aldersgate, in Topeka KS. He was born February 24, 1933 at his family’s home west of Sabetha, Kansas. His parents were Chris William and Golda Lilly (Brammer) Aeschliman.

He attended Nemaha County National School #107 Northwest of Sabetha and graduated from Sabetha High School in 1950. He was a Kansas FFA “State Farmer” in 1950, and had shown champion livestock during his years in 4-H. He served in the U.S. Army Tank Corps from 1952-1954, serving time in Germany. He played with the “Iron Dukes,” Army football team, and organized a reunion of his teammates 50 years later. 

Ash attended Ottawa University from 1954-1958. He was one of two 4-year lettermen in his class. He was the football team co-captain in 1957 and was All KCAC Honorable Mention that year. He was president of the lettermen club and served on the Student Council. During his senior year at Ottawa University, he was presented the Tom Trigg Award for being the most inspirational and most sportsman-like athlete for 1957-1958. Later, in 2006, Ash was voted into the university’s Braves Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ash married Mary Joanne Brunson, of Greeley, Colorado, on March 11, 1956 at the Ottawa First Baptist Church while they both were attending O.U. To this union, five children were born. Rick, in Ottawa, KS. Roger and Ronna, in Eureka, KS. Ruthann, in Superior, NE. Karen, in Topeka, KS.

Ash was a teacher and he also coached sports in Eureka, KS at Eureka High School, in Superior, NE at Superior High School and in Topeka, KS at Landon Junior High School. He taught for ten years and made extra money for his family as a local football referee. 

Ash was an active member of the Baptist Churches in Ottawa and Eureka, KS, Superior, NE, and later at the Topeka First Baptist Church in Topeka, KS. He and his family were longtime members of the Grantville United Methodist Church from 1966-1990, where each family member made wonderful friends that have lasted decades. It is where his children participated in church and community activities as well as scouts, 4-H, and other clubs. Ash and Mary Jo later joined the Topeka Bible Church and being faithful members, they attended their services regularly until they were no longer able to. 

He and his family moved to a home in rural Grantville, KS, in August, 1966. He coached Grantville Little League baseball as well as served on the Perry-Lecompton USD 343 school board in the 70’s. He had been a member of the Grantville Drainage board and was a member of the National Rifle Association, the Perry American Legion Post #142, and the VFW.

After his teaching career, he joined State Farm Insurance Company in 1968 and served as both an agent and a manager in the Topeka area until he retired from the company in 1996. Over the years, he had employed a few wonderful women to work as his administrative assistants and they, along with many of his colleagues in Topeka, and at the State Farm Insurance offices in Columbia, MO and in Bloomington, IL, all became wonderful and lasting friends.

Ash and Mary Jo sold their home in Grantville, where they had raised their family, and moved to Topeka, in October 2012. On their rural property, at different times over the years, in addition to cats and dogs, they also took care of chickens, horses, and rabbits. Until their move to ‘the city,” everyplace he had lived, Ash grew a bountiful vegetable garden and enjoyed sharing his harvest with others. In addition to hunting pheasant and quail with his hunting dog Buddy, and later Buddy’s son B.J., Ash also enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren in area ponds. When they were toddlers, his grandchildren would look forward to their grandpa taking them for rides on his riding lawn mower.

Always a hunter, Ash enjoyed hunting for pheasant, and occasionally deer, with family members, colleagues, and friends. His dog Buddy was one of the best hunting dogs around and anyone who hunted with him would agree. In his early days, Buddy would be spray-painted orange so he could be spotted in the cover. Ash enjoyed sharing how on one hunt, Buddy was pointing at one pheasant while another one he had just retrieved was in his mouth. The loss of Buddy hit Ash hard and he put his emotions to pen and paper and wrote a wonderful tribute to his four-legged hunting partner.

Not only did Ash have a healthy garden each year, he also maintained a beautiful lawn on their acre plot in Jefferson County. It was here he became quite successful of catching moles when they tore up his lawn. He loved working with his hands and being outdoors, and Mary Jo was often right there by his side helping him. With five children, and later grandchildren, he always had helpers to pick up sticks, rake leaves, pull weeds in the garden, mow the lawn, trim hedges, etc. 

His children grew up learning by his example how rewarding hard work can be. They would help him out by hoeing weeds in the bean field, digging potatoes, picking strawberries, and more. After a day of hard work, he would want to treat the kids in some way, and a few times were taken to Dairy Queen. His kids were told they could order whatever they wanted, and with pure joy, relished their banana splits and thick malts. They did not realize until many years later, how their dad would sometimes search the sofa for any spare change to pay for those treats. 

He was a daily jogger for decades, before “running” was a popular sport. He shared how it was his time to connect with God. Over the years, on family vacations he would run before the kids were awake, and at home he often ran with his dog Buddy. When Ash was out of town, his dear friend and neighbor, Bob Beeler, would make sure Buddy got his run in, but in a different manner. Bob would get in his truck and let Buddy run alongside the truck, keeping Buddy on a long leash as he drove. When another neighbor witnessed this, he accused Bob of trying to drag or kill Ash’s dog. 

Ash delighted in how a few of his older grandchildren were able to accompany him on his morning run after spending the night with their grandparents. Some of them also joined him on 5K Fun-Runs for various charities. Ash encouraged all his children to be involved in track at school; as much as he loved it, he hoped they would too. 

After hip surgery in 1999, Ash was very disappointed when Dr. Gimple said he could no longer run. However, this did not stop Ash from spending time on the familiar gravel roads. With fields of corn or soy beans on both sides of him, he obediently walked, but surely was running in his soul. Even with short legs, he did well as a track runner in high school and college, always showing a lot of dedication. 

One of his favorite retirement activities was reading to the first graders at Lyman Elementary School in North Topeka. Along with reading to them, he also shared stories about his childhood life on the farm, his pets, and the one-room school he attended. He explained to the students the importance of making a good introduction, taught them all how to use a firm handshake, and made them aware of the significance of looking a person in the eye when talking to them. He truly enjoyed his time with the children and their teachers.

When Ash had a heart attack in early 2005, Mary Jo happened to have been out of the country. When she was finally able to get a return flight to Kansas, she went to their home to gather a few things before going to the hospital to be with her husband. As she was leaving, she saw Ash’s famous “Things to Do” note pad where his daily lists were always found. He had written about what had happened on a recent hunting trip, how he had been feeling poorly, and not eating much nor sleeping well. He added he was waiting to get a ride to the hospital. He ended that day’s “list” with the following, in his own words: 

If this is the BIG ONE, just keep in mind, business wise we have done all we can do. 

There will always be unfinished business for us all. 

MY SOUL IS FINE and all of you will be fine too. 

Love you Sweet Pea, “Ash”

For the last two and a half years, Ash and Mary Jo lived at Aldersgate in an assisted living apartment. They were well taken care of by the staff and enjoyed events that were provided. The family of Ash and Mary Jo wish to thank the many staff members for all they have done for them, and for the friendships that developed. Ash and Mary also received wonderful care and made lasting friends in The Gardens at Aldersgate rehab, where they both spent time recovering after their individual falls. Over the past few years, Ash and Mary Jo made a very special friendship with Jean, their kind care provider who assisted them both in many ways.

Ash was preceded in death by his parents, sister Nancy Uphaus Bennett, brothers and sisters-in-law Glenn & Donna Aeschliman, Wayne Aeschliman, and Jane Evans, his nephew Greg Thomas, and granddaughter-in-law Nina Loo.

Eldon “Ash” Aeschliman is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Jo, and their five children. Sons Rick Aeschliman (Cally Krallman) and Roger Aeschliman (Robyn), and daughters Ronna Rees (Mike), Ruthann Sanford and Karen Orr (Steeven). His grandchildren are Rocky “Von” (Joey Nguyen) and Joe (Lizzie McVay), von Knorring, Scott Rees, Jacob Aeschliman (Michaela), Adelaide Aeschliman (Natalie), Regan Jones (Michael), Abbie Stipancich (Nick), Simon, Ronna, and Palin Orr and by his great grandchildren, Noah, Lynnlee & Owen Aeschliman, Jasper Jones, Landon & Liliana von Knorring, Blayke Rees, and Dean & Oliver Stipancich. Ash is also survived by his sister-in-law, Nancy (Bohlender) Thomas her husband Nathan, who live in Cumming, Georgia, his brother-in-law Bob Evans of Sabetha, KS, and brother-in-law Bob Uphaus of Topeka, KS.

Ash was very proud of, and deeply loved his many nephews, nieces, and their families. He created many great memories with all of them over the years. They are, Steven & Karen Aeschliman (Sabetha, KS), David & Becky Aeschliman (Illinois), Susan (Aeschliman) & Dennis Hiatt (Blue Rapids, KS), Mike and Betsy Aeschliman (Missouri), Mark and Janice Aeschliman (Holton, KS), Amy (Aeschliman) & Dave Hastings (Carbondale, KS), Kristin (Uphaus) & Jeff Duncan (Topeka, KS), Sara Uphaus (Topeka, KS), and Steven & Emily Thomas (Georgia).

Ash also leaves behind many treasured long-time friends, including the “FabFour” and their children, former clients, neighbors, students, and colleagues who meant so very much to him and whose relationships he was always grateful to have.

Per his wishes, Ash was cremated and his interment will be in a private ceremony at the Grantville cemetery. A visitation with family will be on Tuesday, February 11th, from 4:00 p.m.–5:45 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 6:00 p.m. Both events will be held at the Topeka Bible Church, located at 1101 SW Mulvane in Topeka KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial funds may go to the Dementia Society of America, Prairie Wind Hospice, The Topeka Rescue Mission, or to the charity of your choice.

Dementia Society of America - 188 N Main Street, Doylestown, PA 18901

Prairie Wind Hospice - 6333 Long Ave. Suite 301, Shawnee, KS 66216

Topeka Rescue Mission - 600 N Kansas Ave., Topeka KS 66608

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