D. Pierce Ashelman, 97, Bowmans Mill Road, Orangeville (Greenwood Township), died late Thursday evening, June 2nd, 2016 at Signature Health Care of Bloomsburg where he had been a resident for the past two days.

Born November 18, 1918 in Stillwater, he was a son of the late J. Rolston and Trellie (Ash) Ashelman. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Annabelle (Edwards) Ashelman, on April 1, 2005.

Mr. Ashleman was a 1937 graduate of Benton High School and was a well known and dedicated area dairy farmer for many years.

He was a highly decorated World War II Veteran serving in the U. S. Army. He was a sergeant in Company C, the 776th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He had been awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with five bronze stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army Occupation Medal with German Clasp and the Honorable Service Lapel Button, World War II. His unit was a recipient of the Presidential Citation Award.

Mr. Ashelman was a member of the Dairy Association and was a committeeman for the ASCS of which he had received a 20 year pin for his service.

He was an avid deer hunter and he especially enjoyed visiting the Painter Den Hunting Club. He was also a member of the Land O Lakes Association and in 2002 was a recipient of a 50 year milk producer award from them. He enjoyed his John Deere tractors and worked on the farm until he was 95 years old.

Surviving are his two children: a son, Harry E. Ashelman, and his wife, Trudy, of Orangeville; Peggy J. Morris and her husband, Douglas, of Millville; three grandchildren: Joel and Nathan Morris and Erin Leach; seven great grandchildren: Zachery, Joshua, Rebecca, Natalie, Abigail, and Emmitt Morris and Daniel Leach.

The last member of his immediate family, he was preceded in death by two brothers: Harold and Doyle Ashelman and by a sister, Ruth Deihl.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, June 7th, 2016 at 2 PM at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., 4394 Red Rock Road, Benton (S. R. 487) with the Rev. Stanley L. Bower, pastor of the Canby Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery, Fishing Creek Township with full military honors accorded by a joint Veteran's group. A viewing will be held Tuesday from 1 PM until the time of the Service at McMichael's. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Canby Lutheran Church, c/o Trudy Ashelman, 25 Oriole Road, Orangeville, PA 17859 or to the Rohrsburg Christian Church, 636A Rohrsburg Road, Orangeville, PA 17859. For online condolences or for additional information, please visit our website: www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

 

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