John W. Ashley, son of the late claude and Mattie Strong Ashley, was born in East Prairie on Nov. 23, 1930, and died at the Cypress Point Skilles Nursing Center in Dexter on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, at the age of 76.

He had lived in Southeast Missouri all his life and had lived in Dexter for over 40 years. He was a retired janitor with the Dexter Public Schools and was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church in Dexter.

On Nov. 15, 1966, he was married to Pearl Stickles in Dexter.

Surviving are his wife Pearl Ashley of Dexter; four sons, Gary Ashley of Dexter, Sam Ashley of Niangua, John Ashley of Montgomery, and Andy Ashley of O'Fallon; one daughter, Debbie Whybark of Matthews; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Luzell Grubbs of Dexter.

He was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter with the Rev. Lonnie Mittag and Rev. Lloyd Anderson, both of Dexter, officiating.

Interment will follow in the Sadler's Chapel Cemetery near Dexter with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of all arrangements.