Obituary of Harry Leslie Ashley

Harry Leslie Ashley of Akron passed away Friday, October 17, 2014, at home surrounded by his family. Harry was born on May 12, 1929 in Clendenin WV, the seventh child of the late Ira Leslie & Eva Forrest Armstead Ashley. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. In 1953 he married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Eloise Hershberger. Harry worked at Goodyear Aerospace for 27 years, before retiring as supervisor in Wheel & Brake in 1979. He attended Cornerstone Church. Harry was preceded in death by siblings John Pershing Ashley, Viola Elizabeth Nichols, Wilma Virginia Young, William Burl Ashley, Lena Irene Nichols, Clara Bea Drake, twins Emma Dora & Emma Jean Ashley, Benjamin Ray Ashley, Carolyn June Zornes, Mary Jane Graham, Ruby Etta Ashley and Patricia Ann Pettit. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joyce; children Reggie (Denny) Watson & Neal Ashley; grandchildren Nate (Debbie) Watson and Laura (Dave) Andrew; great-granddaughter Claire Andrew; and brother Ernest Edward Ashley of Lincolnton, NC. Harry enjoyed fishing and working in his woodshop. He loved making bird houses, bird feeders and tissue boxes to give to friends and family. These passions kept him going through his 13 year battle with prostate and bone cancer. The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Summa at Home Hospice Services and Charlotte of Senior Sitter Services. A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 20 at 7:00 pm, with Pastor Dwayne Cummings officiating, at the Anthony Funeral Home, Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St., where the family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 pm. Interment will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery Tuesday, October 21; a procession to the cemetery will begin at the funeral home at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Summa At Home Hospice, P.O. Box 2090, Akron, OH 44309. (Anthony, Akron, 330-724-1281, anthonyfh.com)