Crayton Ash

Crayton James Ash passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was born on February 16, 1941, in West Union, Iowa to Gladyce Oral (Lane) Ash and Herbert Milton Ash. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Presbyterian Church in West Union. Crayton graduated from Valley High School in Elgin, Iowa in 1959. In 1960, he joined the United States Air Force and served four years as an air policeman at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. After his honorable discharge in 1964, he returned to Iowa and farmed with his father and brother. In 1967, he purchased a farm south of Elgin, close to his family. On July 6, 1968, he married Judith Knight at Holy Name Catholic Church in West Union. Together they raised three children - Chris, Steve and Mindy. Crayton farmed for 30 years before retiring in 1997. He remained busy in his later years by working for several area farmers and then for Valley Co-op. When he wasn't hard at work, Crayton enjoyed golfing and bowling, watching classic TV, taking drives around town, and visiting with friends. He could often be seen out on his lawnmower mowing the yard surrounding the family homestead. Cra...[more]

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n is survived by Judy, his wife of 56 years; son Steven Ash of Rockford, Illinois; daughter Mindy Ash (David Olson) of St Paul, Minnesota; daughter-in-law Tina (Chris) Ash; grandchildren Lucas Ash, Mariah Ash, and Rose Olson; step grandson Matt Dales; great-granddaughter Mariana Tamayo-Ash; step great-grandson Rhett Dales; sisters-in-law Elizabeth Ash, Jane Marshall, Jeanette Buenzow, Joanne Frey, and Julie Eckhoff; brothers-in-law Jim Knight, Joe (Judy) Knight, and Paul Sieverding; niece Lisa Ash (Richard Baillargeon); nephews Mark (Diana) Ash, David (Kamalee) Ash, Lane M. Ash, and numerous other nieces and nephews. Crayton was preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Gladyce Oral Ash; son Christopher Ash; brother Milton Lane Ash; brothers-in-law Don Marshall, Jerry Knight, Dale Buenzow, Denny Eckhoff, and Joe Peters; sisters-in-law Janet Sieverding, Janice Underdahl, Connie Knight, and Mary Knight; and great-niece Ruth McMurrin. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at Saint Peter's Catholic Church in Clermont, Iowa. There will be a one hour visitation before mass time at the church on Monday. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025 at Saint Peter's Catholic Church in Clermont, Iowa with Reverend Ralph Davis as the celebrant. Inurnment with Military Rites will follow at the Elgin Cemetery in Elgin, Iowa.