Donnie Ashley

Donnie Ashley, age 78, of Marion, died peacefully and went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

Donnie was born on February 20, 1947, in Anco, Kentucky, the son of the late Ed and Elaine Ashley. He lived in Kentucky until he was 16, then moved to Marion and graduated from the last graduating class of Swayzee High School in 1965. After high school, he went into the U.S. Army in August 1966 and served for two years as a sergeant. Eighteen months of his service was spent in Germany.

Donnie worked for General Motors in Marion for 40 years as a millwright and retired on June 30, 2008. Donnie loved to fly and earned his private pilot certificate in 1985. He attended EAA AirVenture every year and missed only one convention from 1990-2023. If you stopped by, you'd often find him painting, writing, or working on a Chevy S10 in the back garage. Donnie's favorite piece of artwork and biggest artistic accomplishment was a sketch called "Now It's Just Rocky."

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marge Ashley; children, Marc (Megan) Ashley, Wendy Ashley, Lonnie (Tracie) Crite, Brad Crite, and Jordan (Rachel) Ashley; eleven grandchildren, Quinten, Schuylar, Abby, Brody, Jaxson, Dalton (Summer), Dylan, Brianna, Alyssa (Jason), Kelsey, and Haley (Corey); ten great-grandchildren, Charleigh, Easton, Rhemy, Aubrey, Weston, Lincoln, Emma, Remi, Madysen, and Hunter; and brother, Danny (Cheryl) Ashley.

Donnie will be remembered for his generosity and love for family, friends, and strangers alike. He was dedicated to his wife and the love of his life, Marge, and they were inseparable. As a self-described "simple man," his spiritual gifts were gratitude and contentment. He was happy just doing odd handyman jobs for family, mowing the grass, and watching art videos.

He wanted everyone to know how blessed he was to have his sins forgiven by Jesus Christ, to have served in the Army, to have Ed and Elaine as his parents, and to have met "his girl," Marge. Throughout his life, Donnie met many wonderful and inspiring people, and several became his lifelong friends.

"Thanks to all," he said.

Donnie was preceded in death and welcomed home by his parents, Ed and Elaine Ashley; his father-in-law, Raymond Spaulding; and his beloved grand-dog, Wilbur.

A funeral service to celebrate Donnie's life will begin at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN. Viewing will precede the funeral from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. He will be buried at Gardens of Memory in Marion, Indiana.

Memorial contributions in memory of Donnie may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, or Shriner's Hospitals for Children.

Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.