Born 13 May 1966 in Davenport, IA the second of four children to Bill and Ann (Milligan) Ashton. He graduated from Davenport Central in 1984 where he competed in cross country and track. He then attended the University of Iowa where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1988 while simultaneously serving as an active member of the Army ROTC and competing in Men's Rugby.

Upon graduation from the University of Iowa he commissioned as an Engineer Officer within the United States Army and was assigned to 37th Engineer Battalion at Fort Bragg, NC. He served in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq as part of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Jungle Expert Badge, and Sapper Leader Course.

Upon leaving the service in 1993, Dave returned to Iowa and began work as a Civil Engineer. He founded Ashton Remodeling and Tile LLC in 1995 and served the greater Johnson County area with outstanding craftsmanship for over 25 years. In 1990 Dave married the love of his life Mary Kay Eckerle.

Dave was passionate about the outdoors, cycling, rugby, orienteering, Land Cruisers and above all his family. He was strong, loyal, and able to impart wisdom and practicality to any situation. To know him was to love him.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife Kay and is survived by his two children Andy (Mikana) and Abby Kelly (Aaron), granddaughter Veda (and another soon to be grandchild!), his parents Bill and Ann, siblings Susan McCloy (Todd), Patricia Rolfstad (Erik), Steven (Claudia), and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, 30 July from 2 – 5 p.m. at Stella in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at support.woundedarriorproject.org.

Memories of Dave and online condolences may be shared with his family at www.lensingfuneral.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Quad-City Times on Jul. 28, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for David Ashton

12 Entries

Anne Ross

August 2, 2022

I am deeply saddened to hear of Dave´s passing. We did not remain close as the many years went on, but I have fond memories of us as cousins scampering along the bluffs of the family cabin perched overlooking the Mississippi River in Iowa, & the raucous little food fights that we all enjoyed in Grandma & Grandpa´s screened in summer porch while `The Grownups´ dined inside.

He was sweet & thoughtful & smart & playful & funny. He clearly became a loving & devoted husband & father, as well as brave public servant through the military, as well as talented artisan in his business. May he Rest In Peace, & may the memory of what a good person he was bring comfort to all his family & friends.

Ted Thompson

July 29, 2022

Sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Jacob Burris

July 28, 2022

My heart goes out to the Ashton family. My deepest condolences for your loss.

Barbara Berry

July 26, 2022

I was shocked when I logged into my FB page snd read that Dave had passed on. I was a very good friend of Kay´s and she was in my wedding. She was a beautiful woman and a great soul matched by Dave. Praying their spirits are finally together. Lives ended too soon.