Merle Elaine Ashley

Merle was born in Chicago, IL to parents Robert and Jesse Dauphin. Always a good student, she excelled in the annual spelling bee and began a lifelong career in piano and organ. Her first organ position came at age 16 and she later substituted at Morgan Park Baptist Church in Chicago. She attended Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS and graduated as an English major with a minor in Spanish.

With her husband Ronald Harris, an American Baptist minister, she traveled to and taught school in Berkeley, CA, Portland, OR, Chicago, IL and finally in Grand Junction, CO. Together, they helped merge congregations of the Church of the Brethren and American Baptists to form Koinonia Church and served there for 17 years. Taking a break from teaching to raise her two daughters, Bonnie Harris and Robin (Harris) Schrauth, she continued her career as organist/pianist at Koinonia Church.

Following her divorce from Ron, Merle met and married (Charles) Norm Ashley, local music educator and violin teacher of daughter Bonnie. Merle received a degree in Special Education from Colorado State University and took a position in School District No. 51 where she taught until her retirement. She and Norm served together in the music department at First United Methodist Church for some 15 years, she as organist and he the choral director. She also sang in and was substitute accompanist for The Schumann Singers.

Merle and Norm spent many summer months traveling and camping in their beloved Casita trailer, including time here in Colorado, on the Pacific Coast, trips to the Midwest as well as a drive to Alaska and back. She loved spending time with her grandsons, her dogs, being a part of her Bunco group and quilting in her later years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Jesse and her grandson Brendan Kelly Black. Along with the many friends and acquaintances whose lives were enriched by her music, Merle is survived by her husband, Norm, daughters Bonnie and Robin, grandsons Kale and Alex, brothers Rob, Neal and Glenn and sister Yvonne.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 16th, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 522 White Avenue, Grand Junction, CO. Gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to HopeWest, 3090 N. 12th Street, Unit B, Grand Junction, CO, or online www.hopewestco.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.callahan-edfast.com for the Ashley family.