VENEDOCIA — Violet Lenore Ashton, nearly 102, passed away Thursday afternoon, October 5, 2017 at Wayne Healthcare's State of the Heart hospice in Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio, where she had been hospitalized since September 26th. She was 101 years, 11 months and 25 days old.

Violet was the last surviving child of Edward "Possum" Reynolds (1888-1985) and Emma "Gladys" Savidge Reynolds (1894-1972). The third of their seven children, Violet was born on October 10, 1915 in Spencer Twp., Allen County, and grew up on her family's farm on Kill Road. She attended the Book School; graduated from Spencerville High School in 1933; and was a member of the West Union Christian Church.

On October 12, 1935, Violet married Paul Vernon Ashton, son of Charles S. and Nellie Seslar Ashton, and was married over 66 years before Paul's death on April 14, 2002. They were the parents of two children; Ruby Pauline (Rev. John) Medaugh (1937-2009) and Charles Edward Ashton who survives.

Violet and Paul moved to Venedocia in Van Wert County in 1940 and joined the Salem Presbyterian Church on April 14, 1946 . In July, 2011 , at the age of 95, Violet chose to leave the "Big House" and move into an assisted living apartment at Roselawn Manor in Spencerville – a decision that she never regretted and where she enjoyed the frriendships of staff and residents.

She was a former employee of the Van Wert County Farm Bureau and worked at elevators in Venedocia, Elgin and Ohio City. After Paul retired from the Buckeye Pipeline in 1972, he and Violet enjoyed their winters at the Yost Trailer Park in Ruskin, Florida.

Violet was a quiet, gentle, patient, friendly, kind, caring, unassuming, frugal, industrious and honorable woman. She grew up in a musical family and played the harmonica and mouth harp. Like her mother and sisters, she was an excellent cook and baker. Violet was a particular house keeper who, among other tidy habits, liked her beds made , her dishes washed and her windows clean. She was a good steward of her household and balanced her checkbook, manually, into her 90's. She was quick to laugh – often at herself – and was fun to be around. She lived a content life with her husband with whom she was well-matched. She was a patient, loving and steadfast caregiver and loyal friend. Violet was a woman with many talents who served her family, friends, church and community in countless ways. She enjoyed her friendships with old and young alike and remained close with many friends and relatives. In the face of adversity she exibited a quiet strength, and prayed. When age and infirmatives took away everything else, her faith endured.

Violet was preceded in death by her parents, husband , daughter; daughter-in-law; Vickie McCurry Ashton, great grandson; Zacharia C. Medaugh, and all of her siblings and their spouses. Ruby (Emmett) Jones; Roy (Wanda) Reynolds; Doris (J. Murray) Griffin; Merle (Betty) Reynolds; Gail (Betty) Reynolds; and Lela Barnes (former wife of Donald) She is survived by her son Charles E. Ashton of Middleburg, FL.; son-in-law; Rev. John G. Medaugh of Spencerville; six grandchildren; Jonathan W. (Teresa) Medaugh, Corning, OH.; Paul A. (Laura) Medaugh, Dresden, OH.; Rebekah (Chris) Carlisle , Westerville, OH.; Steven T. (Shireen) Ashton, St. Petersburg, FL.; David J. (Beth) Medaugh of Bremen, OH; and Shaun M. (Nicole) Ashton, Middleburg, FL.; 16 great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11 AM Wednesday, October 11, 2017 in the Salem Presbyterian Church in Venedocia with Pastors Tom Emery and Jim Fletcher officiating. Burial of her cremains will follow in Venedocia Cemetery. A reception will follow at the church.

The family will receive friends at the Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville from 4 until 8 PM Tuesday and after 10 AM Wednesday at the church. Memorial donations may be made to the Salem Churc