Naomi Ashcraft
Laura "Naomi"Ashcraft of Warsaw died May 23, 2009 at the Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon.
She was born January 1, 1920 on the home farm near New Guilford, Ohio to the late Albert and Pearl (Farmer) Mikesell.
Naomi attended New Castle high school for two years, then West Carlisle high school where she graduated in 1937 as the valedictorian. She was a life long member of the New Guilford Methodist Church and served on the board.
She was an election poll worker in Perry Township for 50 years and acted as presiding judge for many years.
She was a member and officer of the Methodist Women's Society of Christian Service, Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and Ohio State Grange.
On April 24, 1943 she married James M. Ashcraft and took up house keeping on the farm at the junction of SR79 and SR 271 (now SR 541) where they resided until the present. Jim and Naomi recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary with friends and family.
Naomi was an active member of the farm team, milking cows, driving tractors, mending fences and sometimes chasing cows. Her cooking skills were legendary, and gardening a passion and labor of love. Countless widows in the community looked forward to her visits. She cared deeply for them and in her later years had the good fortune of that renowned farm community to support her.
She is survived by her son Brig Gen (ret) Myron Glenn (Pamela) Ashcraft of Lexington, Ohio; grandsons Christopher Glenn (Valerie) Ashcraft of Lexington and Phillip James Ashcraft of Toledo, Brother Glenn (Gertie) Mikesell of Coshocton, Sister Eileen Burton of Coshocton and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother Carl Mikesell.
The family would like to thank all of the friends, neighbors and extended family for their support during this difficult time. In addition, special thanks go to niece Terrie Shannon and the care providers at the palliative care unit in the Knox Community Hospital.
Funeral Services will be held at the Fischer Funeral Home in Warsaw on Wednesday May 27th at 11:00 am with Pastor Monica Huntsman of the New Guilford United Methodist Church presiding. Burial will be in the Frazeysburg Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 26th from 5-8 pm at the funeral home. At 2pm friends and family will meet at the New Guildford Church for food and remembrance.
