Fay D. Ashby

Fay D. Ashby, 78, of Thomson, Illinois, died Monday, October 11, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center, Clinton, Iowa, after a short and well fought battle with cancer. His entire family surrounded him as he passed into his eternal home. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2010, at the Law – Jones Funeral Home in Thomson. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 15, at the Thomson United Methodist Church. A luncheon will follow at the Savanna Moose Lodge. Fay was born May 30, 1932, in Fairmont, Nebraska, the son of Wayne and Florence Ashby. He married Darlene Houzenga in Morrison, Illinois, on September 9, 1952.Fay was a member of the Thomson United Methodist Church and the Savanna Moose Lodge 1095. He served for over 30 years as a Republican Precinct Committeeman. He served on the Thomson City Council for over 40 years with a number of years as the Village Mayor. He also served a number of years on the volunteer Fire Department. Fay was a salesman for Moorman Feed Company, worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation and then went on to work at the Carroll County Highway Department for a number of years. Until the time of his illness, Fay worked for his family – owned mowing service with his son and grandson.Fay was a big Cubs and Bears fan. He very seldom missed watching any of his grandkids sporting events and thoroughly enjoyed hearing the words “Hi Grandpa.” He loved the time spent golfing, gardening, working on his old Ford tractors, and bus trips with his wife and their good friends, Emil and Rosie. Anytime spent with family made Fay so happy and the happiest of those times were the simple routines that he and his loving wife Darlene shared together.The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the doctors and staff at Mercy Hospital with a special thanks to the 4th floor Angels that showed so much love and compassion.Fay is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife Darlene; children, Carolyn (Larry) Carroll, Sue (Dan) Richardson, Linda (Mike) Foltz, Martha (Ron) Bull, Jim (Lisa) Ashby, and Jeff (Jeanette) Ashby; sister, Darlene McCaughey; 16 grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren plus 1 due in April; and several nephews and nieces.Fay was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Wayne and Donald Ashby.