Vernon C. Ashby

Vernon C. Ashby, 93, of Evansville, passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at VNA Charlier Hospice Center. He was born June 17, 1918, in Evansville. He was a 1936 graduate of Bosse High School and took special courses in business and management at the University of Chicago and the Evening College of the University of Evansville. Vernon was a Safety Director, Chairman of the War Production Committee and Employment Manager for Sunbeam Electric. In 1947 he began working at Ideal Pure Milk Company where he was the Personnel Director, then the Vice-President of Marketing, and he managed the Baskin-Robbins project. After retirement from Ideal, he became the Vice-President of Miller Block Company. Vernon served as Director of Indiana Dairy Products Association and as a member of the Quality Chek’d Advertising Committee. He was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ Downtown, where he was Church Council President, a teacher in the Senior High Sunday school department, a 60 plus year member of the church choir, Chairman of the Denomination’s District Committee on Church Extension and Urban Renewal and Board of National Missions. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Vanderburgh County Association for Mental Health, Downtown Kiwanis, Elks Club, Evansville Association for the Blind, past President of the University of Evansville Football Varsity Club, and Founding member of the University of Evansville Football 100 Club. Music was a big part of Vernon’s life. He was a member of the church choir for over 60 years and directed USO shows at Sunbeam Electric during World War II. He was a member of the Songfellows Barbershop Quartet, who were District Champions in 1947, and was Vice-President and member of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. Vernon was preceded in death by his mother, Rose Ashby; father and step-mother, Clifton and Marie Ashby; brother, Alvan Ashby; and sisters, Bertha Fox and Mary Williams. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Evelyn (Gregory) Ashby; daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Thomas Listenfelt; brother and sister-in-law, Clifton “Corky” and Anne Ashby of Terre Haute; nieces and nephews. Services will be 11:00 AM Friday, November 18, 2011, at Alexander East Chapel, officiated by Rev. John Branam, with burial in Park Lawn Cemetery. Friends may visit Thursday from 3:00 to 7:00 PM and Friday from 10:00 AM until service time at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s United Church of Christ, 314 Market Street, Evansville, IN 47708 or VNA Charlier Hospice Center, 610 East Walnut Street, Evansville, IN 47713.