Gene Ash

Ash

Gene Ash, 88 of Lancaster, Ohio died on July 7, 2013 at Fairfield Medical Center. He was born on March 23, 1925 in Dayton, Ohio to the late Lloyd and Mary Mills Ash.
He was a graduate of Piqua, Ohio High School and The Ohio State University College of Commerce. Gene worked after college for two years as a salesman for Burroughs Corp. then began a 31 year banking career in Lancaster (all with the Lancaster National Bank). He served the bank as its Vice President and Cashier. Upon retiring from the bank he sought and was elected to five consecutive four year terms as Lancaster City Treasurer. In these years, he also prepared tax returns for relatives and friends.
Gene served for many years as a Trustee on the boards of Fairfield county Society for Children and Adults with Disabilities and Friends of The Fairfield County District Library—variously serving terms as President and Treasurer for these organizations. He also served for seven years as a Director on the local chapter of the American Red Cross. Gene was a member of the Lancaster Bowling Assn. and an active bowler for many years. He was a life-long Civil War enthusiast. He liked to write and authored two books on his church’s history (The First United Methodist Church). He also published two poetry books and four novels. Gene had prose and poetry published in magazines and newspapers.
He is survived by his wife, Elece, by his son, Stephen (Sally) Ash of Dayton, Ohio, daughter, Beverlee (Charles) Long of Rittman, Ohio; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty (John) Cleveland of Townsend, Georgia and Kathryn Webb of Vero Beach, Florida and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held Friday, July 12, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL, 405 N. COLUMBUS ST., LANCASTER, OHIO 43130 with Rev. Robert McDowell officiating. Burial to follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Lancaster, Ohio. Friends may visit Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial gifts may be given to The First United Methodist Church, 163 E. Wheeling St., Lancaster, Ohio 43130 or The Fairfield County Society for Children and Adults with Disabilities, c/o Melissa McMullen, 107 E. Jefferson St., Baltimore, Ohio 43105 or to the charity of choice.
To send an online condolence, and sign the guest book, please visit www.funeralhome.com.