Gary Lee Ashwill

Gary Lee Ashwill, age 73, of Bargersville, formerly of Kimball, Minnesota, died quietly in his sleep on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, following a very brief battle with cancer at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin, Indiana.

He was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Leonard and Mabel (Jacobson) Ashwill on August 20, 1949.  He grew up on his family farm in Minnesota, graduated with the class of 1967 from Kimball High School, and attended and graduated from St. Cloud College.  Gary married Audry Ann Erpelding on July 5, 1969, and worked his way through college at Spaulding Auto Body Shop in Kimball.  Following college, he was employed by Kraft Foodservice for several years.  As he advanced with Kraft, he was transferred to Minneapolis, Chicago, and Cleveland, and finally came to Indianapolis, where he lived for 40 years.  He became a sheet metal worker at Air Equipment & Engineering in the late 80’s until retirement.

Gary attended Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.  He enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening (a transplanted farmer), crafting dioramas, writing, water classes at the Baxter Y, and most recently visits to Range USA, although he had not aimed at an animal since the early 70’s.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother: Don Ashwill; and sisters: Gladys Ashwill, and Janet Adams.

Gary is survived by his wife of 53 years: Audry Ashwill of Bargersville; daughter: Dione Ashwill (Tom Butts) of Beech Grove; granddaughter: Dorothy Butts of Beech Grove; siblings: Thad (Diana) Ashwill of Annandale, MN, and Nancy Harbinson of Buffalo, MN.

A family memorial will take place later this year in Minnesota.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Gary to the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, located at 89 N. 17^th Ave., Beech Grove, IN 46107.

Arrangements are in the care of Simplicity Funeral & Cremation Care.

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