Submitted by: Dan Rich
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.