Princess Anne – Claude Elmer Ashley, 80, of here, passed away peacefully at his residence on Saturday, July 21, 2018 surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Westover on October 6, 1937, he was the son of the late Ira and Minnie (Hartsoe) Ashley. Elmer served in the U.S. Army and then worked for the Soil Conservation Service. After the SCS, he worked for Maryland DNR for 33 years as a forest & park ranger. He was a lifetime member of the Princess Anne Volunteer Fire Dept. Elmer was also a member of the NRA, an instructor for the Md. Hunter's Safety Program, served on the Democratic State Central Committee, past president of the Somerset County Fireman's Association, He coached Rehobeth Ruritan Little League baseball, was past president of the P.T.A., was a member of Manokin Lodge #106 AF/AM, and a member of the Somerset County Tractor Pull Association. He attended Antioch U.M. Church.
His favorite past times were cutting grass, 4-wheeling in Assateague and the Pocomoke Forest.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sue Ellen (Bell) Ashley, sons Mark Ashley and his wife Lesley of Hebron and Craig Ashley and his wife Shannon of Parsonsburg, grandchildren, Luke, Sarah, Ethan, Sofia and Connor Ashley, step granddaughter Madison Horner, brother Winfred (Nancy) Ashley of Salisbury, and sister Emily (Roger) Abbott of Princess Anne and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Frank, Joe, Smith, Ray and Lillard Ashley, and sisters Mae Cowgill, Margaret Graybeal and Pauline Beauchamp.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 27, 2018 at Rehobeth Presbyterian Church Cemetery on Coventry Parish Rd. in Rehobeth, Md. Rev. Steve Willing will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Princess Anne Volunteer Fire Dept., 11794 Somerset Ave., Princess Anne, Md. 21853 or Manokin Lodge #106, 30388 Maple St., Princess Anne, Md. 21853