Obituaries

October 21, 1938 to May 14, 2020

WINAMAC - Gerald L. “Jerry” Ash, 81, of Kewanna, passed away at 11:32 p.m., Thursday, May 14,  at the Auburn Village Skilled Nursing Facility in Auburn, IN.

He was born Oct. 21, 1938 in Winamac, to the late Argyl and Kathryn Graffis Ash. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1956 and earned his bachelor’s degree at Indiana State University in 1961. He married Judith Lebo on Feb. 5, 1961 at the Methodist Church in Winamac. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Greg (Sue) Ash, South Bend, Son
Brian Ash, South Bend, Son
7 Grandchildren: Teigan Ash, Mishawaka, Macenzie Ash, Bloomington, Haley Ash, Granger, Madison Ash, Granger, Wyatt Ash, South Bend, Brodie Ash, South Bend, and Dane Jordan, South Bend.
Judy (Steve) Skersick, Greenwood, Sister

Mr. Ash taught at Willowdale Elementary, the smallest elementary school in the Elkhart school system, for four years. 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.

Mr. Ash 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 (7 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 2 years).

After retirement, the Ashes traveled extensively in their motor home. They moved to Lake Bruce, from Granger, in 2006. He 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

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 21, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 22, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at 2 p.m., (Friday), at Saint Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Mishawaka.

Memorial donations 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 10 guests and social distancing. You may 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.