James E. Ash, 80, of Sevastopol, passed away early Monday morning, July 9, 2018 at his home. He was born January 27, 1938 in Sturgeon Bay, the son of the late Edwin and Vera (Schuster) Ash. Jim graduated from Sevastopol High School in 1956, then attended UW-Madison Farm Short Course in 1957.
On May 16, 1959 he married Karen L. Gilson at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in West Jacksonport. Jim worked as a milk truck driver for Carl Urban for five years; drove school bus for Sevastopol School for five years; and Midwest Breeder (then GenX and now CRI) for 38 years as Artificial Inseminator, retiring in 2003.
He then worked for Door County Parks part-time for eight years. Jim was community-minded, and it was shown with his 37 years of service as Door County Fair Association President and Supervisor, 15 years on Sevastopol School Board, and several years on the Zion School Board. He was a member of National Dairy Shrine, a Life member of National Holstein Association, a Life Member of National Angus Association, and a Life Member of Sevastopol FFA Alumni Association.
Jim enjoyed attending all his grandchildren’s events, hunting with family and friends, and watching Westerns. He is survived by his wife, Karen; four children, Thad (Cathy) Ash, Tim (Marie) Ash, both of Sturgeon Bay, Thea (Joe) Schmidt of Campbellsport, and Tom (Amy) Ash, Jacksonport; grandchildren, Ashley (Erik) Cordier, Aaron (Ashlianne) Ash, Adam Ash, Laura (Phil) Blahnik, Franklin, Libby, and Jon Ash; step-grandchildren, Justin (Colleen) Schmidt, Brittany (John) Krebs, and Chelsea Schmidt; great-grandchildren; Madelyn Blahnik, Ellie Ash, and Henry Cordier; brother, Rodney (Doris) Ash; sister-in-law, Janet Gilson and brother-in-law, Henry (Deb) Gilson; five nephews and families. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Vera Ash; in-laws, Henry and Elva Gilson; sister-in-law, Rochelle Gilson; and nephew, Michael Ash.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 13, 2018 at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Valmy with Pastor Benjamin Enstad officiating. Burial will be in Zion Ev.
Lutheran Cemetery in West Jacksonport. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay with a devotion to be held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church, Friday morning, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Jim was a devoted family man whose sense of humor and community spirit will be missed by all. Memorials may be made in his memory for St. John Ev.
Lutheran Church in Valmy. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Jim may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www. huehnsfuneralhome.com.
Donations may be made to: St. John Ev. Lutheran Church 4911 Brauer Rd. , Sturgeon Bay WI 54235 Tel: 1-920-743-5343 Web: www.
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