1935 - 2023
DONALD A. ASHCRAFT was born on a farm 10 miles southeast of Matheson, CO to Fred and Fern Ashcraft on August 24th, 1935.
The doctor was his grandmother Sadie Ashcraft. Donald passed away with family near his side on May 20th, 2023, at Lincoln Community Nursing Home in Hugo, CO. At approximately 11:30 AM, he left this life to be with the Lord. He grew up in the same area southeast of Matheson, went to school at Columbine, Cheyenne, Central and graduated from Big Sandy High in 1953. He started out farming and milking cows with his dad and brother. He met Shirley Oller on Friday October 13th, 1959, and they were married on May 29th, 1960. They made their home southeast of Matheson, where he spent a few years milking and selling the milk and cream in Matheson.
He sold his milk cows to purchase more land to start farming, ranching and raising his family. They have 4 daughters Virlynda Ashcraft of Limon, CO.-Debrah Ashcraft of Matheson, CO-Marilyn (Scotty) Bushong of Matheson, CO,-Sherri (Chad) Elliott of Garden City, KS. He lacked 9 days from celebrating their 63 years of marriage. Donald and Shirley have 4 grandchildren Derrik (Sky) Dean of Limon, Co- Jalissa (Jerami) Morris of Hugo, CO-Brice Elliott of Garden City, KS – Aaron Elliott of Scott City, KS. – 2 great grandchildren Aspyn and Kamryn Morris of Hugo, CO-4 step Great grandchildren Taylor Morris, Baylee and Rylee Kelly, Braylee Pharo.
He served 10 years on Limon COOP board, 10 years on Elbert County Land use board, 3 years on Elbert board of adjustments and Elbert County ASCS board. He retired from farming in 2013 for back issues, he missed farming and driving the tractor to see the dirt freshly turned over. He stated “the best crops came from plowing and opening the ground up to soak up moisture”. In 2019 his health started to decline more, they then purchased a house in Hugo, CO and then moved to town.
They purchased a house that still gave them country life views of cattle and wildlife out their front window. He is preceded in death by his parents Fred and Fern Ashcraft, Brother Glenn Ashcraft and infant sister Janet. He is survived by his wife Shirley Ashcraft, daughters: Virlynda Ashcraft, Debrah Ashcraft, Marilyn Bushong, Sherri Elliott, sister Bonnie (Phil) Holler of Texas, 4 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and 4 step great grandchildren as well as numerous family and friends. Memorial Contributions Hugo Fire Department 227 5th Street. Hugo, Colorado 80821 Simla Fire Department 219 Sioux Avenue Simla, Colorado 80835 Full Gospel Assembly 417 I. Avenue Limon, Colorado 80828
VISITATION
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Love Funeral Home Chapel
225 F Avenue
Limon, Colorado, United States
719-775-2333
FUNERAL SERVICE
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Friday, May 26, 2023
Love Funeral Home Chapel
225 F Avenue
Limon, Colorado, United States
719-775-2333
INTERMENT
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Friday, May 26, 2023
Simla Cemetery
Hwy 24 and Ute Avenue
Simla, Colorado, United States
