Orville Ray Ashbrook

Orville Ray Ashbrook 84, Shawnee, Kansas passed away June 22, 2010. He was born February 16, 1926 in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of James and Lois Ashbrook of Caney, Kansas. Orville attended school and graduated from the Caney High School in 1944.

He served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946. He was a ship- fitter Third Class on the USS Kearsarge (cv-33).

Orville married Elizabeth (Betty) Toepfer on June 5, 1949. Orville worked in Coffeyville, Kansas and Bartlesville, Oklahoma as a Union Plumber until 1964. In the year 1964 they moved to Shawnee, Kansas. He worked as a Union Local #8 Plumber for the Tip Top Plumbing and Heating Company of Kansas City, Missouri for 23 years. Orville was an active member of the Plumbers Local #8 for over 60 years.

Orville loved to work and learn about different projects. He loved to help family and friends on any type of plumbing projects. He was known as an avid woodworker in the family and often designed many pieces to please them, especially toys for the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Orville was a member of the United Methodist Church in Caney and later was a member of the United Methodist Church in Shawnee, Kansas.

Orville was preceded in death by an infant sister and brother, an infant son, James Scott Ashbrook, parents James and Lois, his brother-in-law Gene Barger, his sister Helen Hall and wife Elizabeth (Betty).

Survivors include a daughter Denise Dickson and spouse Jaye, a granddaughter, Michelle Blaske and spouse Keith, a grandson Jason Dickson, two great grandchildren, Serena and Harley Blaske. Three sisters, Nadine Barnett and spouse Harold, Delores Waite and spouse Duane, and Guyla Barger. Orville has many nieces and nephews.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be given to Caney Alumni Assoc., P. O. Box174, Caney, Kansas 67333 or VITAS Hospice Care, 10000 W. 75th Street, Suite 240, Shawnee Mission, KSansas 66204 or a charity of your choice.

Visitation and Funeral Service

The visitation will be from 6-8 pm, Thursday, June 24, 2010,at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. A graveside service will be held 1:00 pm, Friday, June 25, 2010, at Sunnyside Cemetery in Caney, Kansas