Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Michelle Lenora Ashley

Aug. 24, 1947 - Dec. 1, 2007

 

South Bend Tribune 12/3/2007
SOUTH BEND - Michelle Lenora Ashley, 60, of 23098 Adams Road in South Bend, Indiana, died Saturday, December 1, 2007, from an illness at her home, where she was surrounded by her family and friends. She was born on August 24, 1947, in South Bend, to Herman and Ruth (Ben) Ottman.

 

On July 19, 1969, in South Bend, Michelle married Dale Ashley. Survivors include her husband, Dale Ashley; daughter, Renee Gay of South Bend; son, Aaron Ashley of South Bend; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Ashley and son-in-law, Robert Gay; two grandchildren, Trevor and Braydon; four legged grandchildren, Morgan, Sierra, and Autrey; and her four-legged friends, Lou and seven goats. She was the third child of four children to her brother, Jimmy (Daise) Ottman of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, sister, Patty (Art) Enyart of LaGrange, Indiana, and brother, Sid (Patti) Ottman of Mishawaka, Indiana.

 

Michelle graduated from Riley High School in 1965. She worked for Sears Roebuck until starting her family, where she was a stay-at-home mom and babysitter for friends. When her children started high school she started working at the United Methodist Day Care because of her love of children. She then worked at Knollwood Country Club, then Notre Dame Catering, feeding the football players, and currently leaving behind a job at the South Bend Police Department as a crossing guard, again enjoying the children. Family and friends were most important to her. She was not only considered a true friend but a part of her friends' families and loved by all. Everyone she came in contact with will never forget her kindness, generosity, fun and crazy loving spirit, and love for life which included taking lots of pictures, fishing, vacations with family, angels, Elvis, and a huge fan of football to the only college team known as the Fighting Irish. Thank you our dear wife, mother, and friend for loving us so deeply and for the memories that will never be forgotten. You will always be in our hearts.

 

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 4, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2007, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery Mishawaka, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care 111 Sunnybrook Court South Bend, Indiana 46637.