Ethel May Ashley

Ethel May Ashley (nee Shrum), of Lake Saint Louis, MO, passed away Friday, January 16, 2026, at the age of 93. Beloved wife of the late Raymond Gene Ashley; cherished daughter of the late Milburn O. and Amanda C. Shrum; devoted mother of Robert (Missy) Ashley, William (Karen) Ashley, Katherine (Bruce) Green, and the late Michael Ashley. She was also preceded in death by her dear siblings.

Ethel was a proud member of the Razorbacks, a senior club that traveled extensively and enjoyed outings together, and a devout woman of faith who was a longtime member of the First Church of God of Anderson, Indiana. She and her beloved husband, Raymond, shared 67 wonderful years of marriage, building a beautiful life filled with travel, adventure, and cherished memories. Spunky, fun, and larger than life, Ethel had a vibrant personality, many friends, and a deep love for her career. She dedicated her life to education, teaching in several school districts, including Riverview Gardens, Hazelwood, and Ferguson-Florissant. An avid genealogist, she loved traveling in search of new family leads and had a unique gift for weaving historical and world events into her discoveries, reflecting her true teacher’s heart. Ethel was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Memorials may be made in Ethel's name to Parkinson's Foundation.