Royce Ashley

(From Buchanan Funeral Home)

Royce Onley Ashley, age 92, of Monett, MO, passed away on Friday evening, December 5, 2014, while at his residence. He was the only child of Leland Monroe and Eva Lois (Grobe) Ashley, born on September 10, 1922, in Dysart, IA. He was baptized into the Methodist faith on November 22, 1925, in LaPorte City, IA.

Being raised on a farm in Blackhawk County, IA, Royce started farming at age 10. He also did custom threshing. Royce graduated from LaPorte City High School with the Class of 1940. He then attended business college, studying banking. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force on September 24, 1942, and served our country during World War II.

On Easter Sunday, April 25, 1943, Royce married Elaine Carol Steffen of Cedar Falls, IA, at St. Peter’s American Evangelical Lutheran Church, Santa Ana, CA, where he was stationed. She survives.

After an honorable discharge from military service on January 21, 1946, Royce returned to farming in his home state of Iowa. He confirmed his faith through Rite of Adult Confirmation on May 15, 1949, at the American Evangelical Lutheran Church in LaPorte City, IA.

In January of 1957, Royce and Elaine packed up their truck and a small trailer and moved their family of four children to Monett, MO, where Royce worked as a masonry apprentice. They soon bought an 89 acre farm northwest of town with his GI Bill. This came to be known as Ashley’s Acres, where Royce and Elaine lived for 50 years, during which time they raised five children, many hogs, cattle, other animals and crops.

After retiring from the hog business, Royce and Elaine traveled for 20 years from Alaska to Hawaii to Florida and in between, often stopping to visit family and friends across the country.

Royce was a member of the American Legion Post No. 0419 in Freistatt, MO, for 28 continuous years and a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Monett.

The five children, all of whom survive, are: Leon Ashley of Humansville, MO; Lynda Endicott of Sarcoxie, MO; Carolyn Kleiboeker (Glennon) of Wentworth, MO; Eva Janine Gates (Billy) of Battlefield, MO; Wynette Quade (Tony) of Carthage, MO.

Royce had twelve grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Royce wished to be cremated. Memorial visitation will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at Buchanan Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2014 at Buchanan Funeral Home. Chaplain Craig Buck will be officiating. A committal service will follow, as well as military honors, at the McCormick-St.John’s Cemetery in Monett. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Honor Flight of the Ozarks or the American Legion Post No. 0419 in care of the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett, MO.