Roger Ashby Jr.

GREENWOOD

Born Oct. 6, 1926, Roger Ashby Jr. passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2017, in the presence of his loving family.

Born in Oakland City, Roger was the only son of Roger and Edith (Tisdale) Ashby.

He spent most of his youth and adult years in Evansville.

He was a Bosse High School graduate and attended Indiana University.

In February of 1945 Roger entered the U.S. Army and served his country in the Philippines as World War II came to an end. He was honorably discharged from the Army in November of 1946.

He returned to Evansville to marry the love of his life, Pauline “Polly” Newhouse in October of 1947. They often talked about their simple wedding ceremony with only two witnesses, followed by a fried chicken dinner at the senior Ashbys’.

Polly and Roger had been married for 66 years when she passed away in November of 2013.

Together Roger and Polly built two insurance agencies. The first was in Evansville as they raised their family. In the early 1980s, they sold that business and retired to Orlando, Florida. It didn’t take long for them to decide that retirement was not for them.

With a real love for his life’s work, Roger convinced his bride to begin again with another insurance agency. Working side by side, they built their second business from the ground up. Real retirement came in the mid-’90s, and a few years later they moved to Greenwood, to be near family.

There was nothing that brought a smile to Roger’s face more quickly than one of his children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren walking into a room. He cherished each and every one of them. Family was at the center of his world followed by a career he loved.

Basketball, another of his loves, centered on the Evansville Aces and the IU Hoosiers. He never missed an opportunity to watch one of their games.

Roger’s other life passion was studying the stock market. He spent many hours researching and studying various companies.

He led his life as a beautiful example for all those who knew him. He was always positive and upbeat and treated others with respect. His work ethic was second to none.

He was incredibly appreciative of all that others did for him, particularly in his later years. He instilled an amazing value system in his children, leading by example. His loyalty, honesty, and integrity were exemplary.

His love of those near and dear to him was demonstrated beautifully in the four years prior to his wife’s death when he acted as a loving and devoted caregiver to her.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Frances Maxine; his wife, Pauline; and son-in-law, Steven St. Pierre.

He is survived by his daughter, Deb St. Pierre; and sons, Jim (Ellen), and Keith (Mary); nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Aspen Trace Senior Living Facility in Greenwood for their loving care and support. They went above and beyond in caring for Roger at all times.

A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Greenwood Chapel, 481 W. Main St., Greenwood. Friends may visit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Roger’s memory to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Indiana, 435 Limestone St., Indianapolis, IN 46202.