Shirley Ann Ashby, 71, of Morning Sun died Sunday, March 7, 2010, at her home.

Born July 21, 1938, in Brookpark, Minn., she was the daughter of Gordon and Ethel Smith Ripperton. In 1955, she married John Ward. They divorced. In 1963, she married Darrell "Bud" Ashby. He died in 1995.

Mrs. Ashby worked at Motorola in Mount Pleasant. She was a member of Grandview Community Bible Church.

Survivors include three sons, Brad Ashby of Maquoketa, Larry Ward of Mediapolis and Jeff Ashby of Chicago; three daughters, Paula Thompson of Wapello, Denise Pforts of Wapello and Debbie Ball of Morning Sun; 19 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; her stepmother, Elsie Ripperton of Minnesota; five sisters, Lavonne Rickels of Delaware, Carol Mills and Mary Fonck, both of Manchester, Dianne Mayer of Mora, Minn., and Debbie Sutherland of Florida; one brother, Donnie Ripperton of Mora; nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and one brother.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home where the family will receive friends.

The funeral for Mrs. Ashby will be at 10.30 a.m. Friday at Grandview Community Bible Church with the Rev. Darryl Erickson officiating. Burial will be in Wapello Cemetery.

Memorials have been established for Grandview Community Bible Church and Iowa Hospice.