Obituary of Paul W. Ashbeck

Paul W. Ashbeck, age 76, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away on October 15, 2017 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital surrounded by his devoted wife and loving family.

Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at First English Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids.  Rev. Cheryl Davis will officiate.  Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.  Family and friends are invited to a time of visitation from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. on Friday, October 20th at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Saturday at the church.

Paul was born January 4, 1941 in Wisconsin Rapids to Leonard and Celia (Hilgart) Ashbeck Sr.  He grew up on the family farm in Blenker, WI and graduated from Auburndale High School in 1958.

Paul married Mary Ann Walloch on February 27, 1965.  They were blessed with 52 years of marriage.  Paul was employed by the Wood County Highway Department and Consolidated Papers.  In 1978, he started farming full time with his wife.  Paul’s love of farming continued throughout his life until he became ill in August 2017.

Paul was past director of the following organizations: Wood County Farm Bureau, Equity Livestock Association, Dairy Herd Improvement Association, and Associated Milk Producers Incorporated.  Paul was a member and Past President of the Wisconsin Rapids Lions Club.  He was honored to receive the Melvin Jones Fellow award from the Lions Club.  Paul was a faithful member of First English Lutheran Church where he served as an usher for many years.

Paul was very social, had a kind heart and loved being with family and friends.  He was known for always having a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye and a good story to tell.  Paul loved playing cards and traveling throughout the years with lifelong friends.  He enjoyed his early morning calls with his best friends, Dale, Ford tractors, and following the Green Bay Packers.  Paul had an unquenchable sweet tooth.

Paul is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann; daughter, Susan (Scott) Jackan; son, Greg (Sarah) Ashbeck; grandchildren: Brady and Macy Jackan and Maverick, Vince and Olivia Ashbeck; two sisters: Janet Fruin and Dolores (Ed) Lang; sister-in-law, Shirley Ashbeck; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Lori Walloch; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Sr. and Celia Ashbeck, his step-mother Dorothy, brother Leonard Ashbeck Jr., father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leo and Hilda Walloch, and brother-in-law, Bill Fruin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wisconsin Lions Camp/Wisconsin Rapids Lions or to First English Lutheran Church.
Paul will be dearly missed by his wife, family and a great many friends.  The family wishes to thank the Rudolph First Responders, United Ambulance staff, the Wisconsin Rapids Ambulance staff, and the staff of Aspirus Riverview Hospital and Aspirus Wausau Hospital for their kind and wonderful attention to Paul during his short illness.