Leader Publications

Virginia Ashley, 87, of Dowagiac, passed away at 10:03 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph.

Virginia’s life began on Nov. 7, 1921, in Dowagiac, the daughter of Arthur and Mabel (Breymer) Allen.

She was united in marriage to Thomas Ashley on Oct. 10, 1948, at First United Methodist Church in Dowagiac.

She had worked as an operator for General Telephone for several years and, as a young lady, scooped ice cream at the Dowagiac Creamery.

She was a member of Calvary Bible Church.

Her loving family includes: her husband of 60 years, Thomas Ashley of Dowagiac; their children, Lynn (Charles) Konopinski of Granger, Ind., Richard Ashley of Belleville and  Julie Ashley of Marshall; grandchildren, Kristen (Vince) DeDario of Granger, Nathan Konopinski of Granger and Jonathan Konopinski of Ann Arbor; a great-grandson, Dylan DeDario; and a nephew, Greg (Susan) Allen of England.

Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Gail Ashley, and her brothers, Robert and Richard Allen.

Her family will gather with friends on Sunday, Sept. 13, from 2 to 6 p.m. at McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Calvary Bible Church, where her funeral service will begin at 11 led by Pastor Robert Vickroy.

Virginia will be laid to rest a Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac.

Memorial donations in her name may be directed to the Council on Aging or Calvary Bible Church.

Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Virginia at www.mclauchlin-clark.com.