- Date Of Birth: February 28, 1943
- Date Of Death: July 30, 2018
- State: Illinois
Ashton Earl Blakewell, 75, of Galesburg, died at 1:10 a.m. Monday, July 30, 2018, at home. Ashton was born February 28, 1943, in Galesburg, the son of Ashton and Edna Mae (Adams) Blakewell. Ashton met his future wife, Nelle Rose Lee, while he was working as a stockman at Kroger Grocery when he was in High School. They were married on June 1, 1963, in Galesburg.
She preceded him in death on March 15, 2015. He is survived by two sons, Lee (Becky) Blakewell and Jon (Sara) Blakewell both of Galesburg; three daughters, Yvette Carpentier of Galesburg, Marna Blakewell of Altona, and Jackie Reimolds of Galesburg. Ashton is also survived by his ten grandchildren, Lindsay (Hudson) Archer, Nick (Breanna Neal) Carpentier, Emily (John Hall), Ashley (Chris Hammond), Erin (Christian Fancher), and Allison Reimolds, Samantha Byrd, Ashton and Zachary Blakewell, and Natalie Rose Blakewell; and seven great-grandchildren, Jackson, Colin, and Audrey Archer, Ava Carpentier, Oliver Hammond, Adelyn Fancher, and Reuben Hall; and one sister, Carlyne Stokesbary of Galesburg. Along with his wife, Ashton was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Betty Marry.
After high school, Ashton went to work for the railroad as a switchman. He eventually became a brakeman and retired as a yardmaster after a 39 ½ year of career. He was a longtime, devout member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and a member of Father J.O. Hunt Knights of Columbus Council 556. In his younger years, Ashton played softball for the K.C.’s and was in a bowling league with Nelle.
Ashton was a talented man. He could fix just about anything. He had many mentors and was self-taught in skills ranging from farming to electrical and plumbing. He helped several of his children build and remodel their homes along with a complete remodel of his own home. He passed many of those skills to his children. Ashton also enjoyed fishing and teaching his children how to shoot a weapon, target shoot, and hunt. After Nelle passed, he learned the art of stained glass, taking classes with his daughter Marna.
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