George "Skip" Lawrence Ashby

George "Skip" Lawrence Ashby, 82 of Brownsburg, Indiana, peacefully passed away on April 16, 2025, at Life's Journey of Avon. George was born to Sarah (Neuhaus) and Raymond Ashby on February 13,1943, the youngest of four children.

He grew up and spent his entire life on the Westside of Indianapolis. His nickname “Skip” came from the way he skipped around in his baby bed as a toddler.

As a teenager, George and his brother Bob were called on twice by the local police to use their bloodhounds to find bank robbers. The bank robbers surrendered telling the police they knew the dogs were hot on their trail and it was easier to give up than to continue trying to escape.

When he was a young man, George enjoyed his time as a volunteer fireman and told many stories over the years of helping people. Those experiences helped shape the man he became and how he lived his life.

George married Sharon O’Conner and they were blessed with 4 children. He later married Delorys Ann Williams on September 3, 1976, and gained 3 more children. They enjoyed 48 years of marriage.

He worked at General Motors for 28.2 years, ending his career as a fork-lift driver, and retired in 1993. He had a second career as a delivery driver for Circle City Logistics from 1993-1998.

There were also many happy years spent camping, boating, and fishing!

After retirement, George and Delorys bought property and built a cabin in Freedom, Indiana, called Ashby Acres where they entertained family and friends for several years. It was a beautiful place for fishing, hiking, bird-watching and just “vegging” as they liked to say. It was where their beloved cat Puffy passed away and was laid to rest.

Anyone who knew George, even a little, knew what an unprecedented Euchre player he was. He would make it on a 9, 10, and the right and end up with a loan. He honed his skills in the GM lunchroom where they could play as many as 10 games in 30 minutes. Those skills were passed on to his children…who never quite lived up to the Euchre king!

George was such a joy-filled man! He could find something to be joyful in just about any situation. His laugh was so infectious and we will miss it so much! However, if he gave you “the look” you knew you were in trouble.

George was a hard-core chocoholic, drinking chocolate milk with EVERYTHING, even spaghetti. And his love of candy was legendary. Even when he wasn’t feeling good at the end and had no appetite, he looked to candy to settle his stomach.

George’s son Mike discovered several years ago he is related to Abraham Lincoln. They share the same grandpa (a few generations removed), Revolutionary war Captain Abraham Lincoln, after whom the president was named.

George was first and foremost a blood bought saint of the Living God. He was a natural evangelist, asking everyone he met if they knew the Gospel and would share “Have you heard the good news-He is risen…He is risen indeed!”

Some of his favorite Bible stories were:

Luke 19:37-40 During Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the crowd began praising God. The Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke them and Jesus said, “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Luke 23:39-43 While Jesus hung on the cross, one of the criminals said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus said, ”Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

John 8:32-36 Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Mark 16:5-6 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He is not here. He has risen!”

It is significant that most of George’s favorite verses are part of the Easter story and it is no coincidence that he entered Heaven during Holy Week.

Psalm 139:16 says, “all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be”. George’s days on this earth were 30,013. He passed away on his mother, Sarah’s, birthday.

George was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, David and Robert. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Jacobs, and sister-in-law Phyllis Ashby.

He is survived by sons Mike (Janet) Ashby and Tony Williams, and daughters Joyce Kendall, Jan Ashby, Laura (Steve) Foster, Angela (Richard) Wing , and Dina Thomas.

He was preceded in death by granddaughter Holly, and is survived by grandchildren Brad, Kelly, Greg(Chelsea), Whitney(Trevor), Shawn(Brittney), Hayley(Eric), Chase(Emily), Kyle, Amber(Chris), Brittney(Benjamin), Mallory(Nolan), Quinton, Lydia (Paul), and Erik as well as 18 great-grandchildren with another on the way.

George will be missed by many extended family members and friends.

Friends and family will gather on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Cornerstone Lutheran Church at Eagle Creek, from 11 am to 1 pm, with the funeral service beginning at 1 pm. Cornerstone Lutheran Church at Eagle Creek is located at 6100 North Raceway Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46234.

George will be laid to rest with a private ceremony at Lincoln Memory Gardens in Whitestown, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Life's Journey of Avon or to Cornerstone Lutheran Church at Eagle Creek .

Arrangements are entrusted to Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home. All are encouraged to share thoughts, prayers, and memories with George's family on his memorial page found on the funeral home's website, www.ericmdbellfuneralhome.com .