Fred L. Ashton, Jr., 82 of Seaside Heights, NJ, formerly of Easton died Thursday, May 9, 2013 in his sister Anna’s home in Easton where he was residing since Hurricane Sandy.
Born: March 7, 1931 in Easton he was a son of the late Fred L., Sr. and Jean Melick Ashton. He and his wife, the former Shirley Adams have been married for 60 years.
Personal: He had worked with his wife at Crossroads Realty in Lavallette, NJ before retiring; prior to that he worked for Schuylkill Haven Casket Company and had served as the Executive Director of the Toms River Industrial Commission. He was the Mayor of Easton for 8 years from 1967 to 1975 and an Easton City Councilman from 1963 to 1967. A licensed funeral director in partnership with his brother R. Kline Ashton until 1970 at the Ashton Funeral Home in Easton, he followed in the family business established in 1847. He was a graduate of March Elementary School; Easton High School Class of 1948; Lafayette College Class of 1952 and he received his Master’s Degree from Temple University in 1955. He was an Eagle Scout and served in the Army during the Korean War, stationed in Germany.
Memberships: He was a member of Union Church, Lavallette; Easton Lodge #152, F&AM and numerous Masonic organizations; he was a member of the VFW and had been active in many service and civic organizations through the years.
Survivors: His wife: Shirley A. Ashton ; 5 children: Fred L. Ashton, III, Ph.D. and his wife Margaret of Windham, CT; Susan Ashton Thistle of Punta Gorda, FL; Carol Ashton Keefe and her husband Harry, III of Basking Ridge, NJ; Richard Adams Ashton of Seaside Heights, NJ; Thomas Melick Ashton and his wife Kathleen of Wayne, IL; his brother: R. Kline Ashton, Sr. and his wife Arlene of Easton; his sister: Anna A. Kutzler of Easton; 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Services: A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2013 in the Union Church of Lavallette, 25 Philadelphia Avenue, Lavallette, NJ with a reception to follow. A calling period and burial in Easton Cemetery was held May 11th in Easton, PA. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial Contributions: May be made to the Memorial Scholarship Fund for Easton High School Class of 1948 c/o 2711 VanBuren Rd., Easton, PA 18045.
Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Betty & Charlie
May 10, 2013 at 10:26 am
Charlie & I offer our deepest sympathy to Shirley & her family. We will miss Fred and his quotes that he would always tell. During the years that we lived in Seaside Fred became a “Special” friend. It will not be the same without him. I would have liked to make him one more pot of chicken soup, but storm sandy prevented that.
Farewell our dear friend. Love, Betty & Charlie
Carol Schoenek King
May 10, 2013 at 11:12 am
Ashton Family….My deepest sympathy for your loss. You were always there for the Schoenek family in our time of loss. Know you will be in my prayers at this time.
Gerald & Donald
May 10, 2013 at 8:44 pm
Kline, Arlene, Kline Jr., Scott, Debbie, & family,
We are so sorry to learn of Fred’s passing. He was a great example of how to serve one’s community. I am sure he will be missed by you all. Our condolences from Bangor to California.
With Sympathy,
Donald & Gerald Ehle
The Thomases
May 10, 2013 at 8:59 pm
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of Fred. Even though I only met him a few times, Mom used to see him often. He will be missed.
Phil & Robin Bove
May 10, 2013 at 10:51 pm
Shirley, Rick & Family,
The El Con will not be the same without Fred’s sunny smile. His grace, humor & warmth will truly be missed.
Our sincerest condolences.
J Padilla
May 10, 2013 at 11:53 pm
Shirley and Family,
May the promises of our Heavenly Father comfort your family during this difficult time. — Psalm 34:18; John 5:28,29, Revelation 21:3,4
http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-gods-kingdom-will-do/
Jonathan
John Breidinger
May 11, 2013 at 9:01 am
Please accept my condolences of the loss of Mr..Ashton. While I had not seen him in many years, he was a schoolmate and friend of my parents. In that capacity and as Mayor he attended my Eagle Scout ceremony in January of 1970. As we shared that rank, he was an example of how an Eagle Scout should act and what he could become. I will always remember that, as well as our subsequent meetings.
Again, my sincerest sympathy.
carl+maureen coleman
May 11, 2013 at 9:19 am
the whole coleman family send’s our prayers and condolences. Fred and Shirley’s door was always open to share a greeting and a story. we were very blessed to have known him.
love, carl+maureen
Maura Simon
May 11, 2013 at 10:32 am
Shirley and Family,
Please know how sad I feel about Fred’s passing. He was a great guy, and
one of a kind. It was a pleasure working with both of you at
Crossroads. I know he will be greatly missed.
my sincere condolences
Ray and Mary Kosyla
May 11, 2013 at 2:12 pm
Our deepest sympathy is extended to you Shirley and to your family.
We will truly miss the “Mayor”.
Ray and Mary Kosyla
Nancy & Tom Malatesta
May 11, 2013 at 7:45 pm
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of Fred. What a great guy he was. A couple of years after we sold the house in Ortley, we moved to Easton. Now back in Jersey-Leisure Village west. Our thoughts are with you at this awful time. Nancy & Tom
Nancy and Mike Wristen
May 11, 2013 at 8:32 pm
Our condolences to all the Ashtons on the loss of Fred. He always had that twinkle in his eyes, and we loved his great stories. He was one of those larger-than-life characters who will live on in many hearts and minds. God Bless.
Diane & George
May 12, 2013 at 5:29 am
Kline, Arlene, Kline Jr., Scott, Debbie, & family,
Please accept our sympathy in your loss. You have lost a very special person and we know he will be missed by all.
Diane & George
Terry Cooper
May 13, 2013 at 5:19 pm
I’m so sorry to the whole Ashton family for the loss of Mr. Ashton. He was always a very nice man. He always had a smile on his face that will be missed.
Dave & Gail Vasilenko
May 17, 2013 at 9:01 am
Our condolences to Shirley and family. Fred was an inspiration to me when I first started. He was always positive, put a smile on your face and always wanted to know what you knew. He is in our thoughts…….So sorry …
Dave & Gail Vasilenko
Laura Villanueva
May 17, 2013 at 1:29 pm
I want to extend my condolences to your family about Mr. Fred Ashton passing. I am one of the nurses who takes care of him in Ocean Medical Center Dialysis Unit. Fred is a very pleasant person and he will surely be missed. May peace be all with the entire family. Regards to Mrs. Ashton.. My prayers are with you and family.
Sincerely,
Laura
Gary Lysak
May 18, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Shirley & the Ashton family,
My most heartfelt condolences on the passing of Fred. I was lucky enough to know and spend time with Fred and in time began to feel he played a fatherly role in my life. I am the better for it, we all know Fred was special but my opportunity to share an office across the hall from him was one of my great privileges to this point in my career as a realtor. Thank you Fred, thank you Shirley. God’s blessings to you and your family as Fred tells him just how Heaven should really be run.
Gary
Cynthia (Fallos) Alpaugh
May 20, 2013 at 3:00 pm
Carole, Mrs. Ashton and Family,
I know it has been years, but I wanted to extend my condolences on the loss of your father and husband. Your family was always very kind and still has a special place in my heart. God bless during this difficult time.
Regards,
Cynthia Alpaugh
Chuck Loihe
May 20, 2013 at 9:49 pm
Dear Shirley and Family,
Fred was a fine and benevolent Man. My sincerest condolences on your loss. You are all in my prayers
Chuck Loihe