Former RCBS VP Don Ashurst - 1944 - 2009

Dear Blues Fans,

With a heavy heart the River City Blues Society passes on the news of the death of our former society vice president Don Ashurst.

Don passed away on August 3rd from head injuries suffered when his motorcycle crashed at about 12:30 p.m. Sunday August 2nd in East Peoria.

Dons wife Debbie was also seriously injured in the accident and was released from St Francis Medical Center on August 14th.

Don served as vice president of the River City Blues Society in 2004 and 2005 when I first became president. He helped start our society’s first Winter Blues fest, the first Luther Allison Memorial Blues Fest and the River City Harmonica Blowout. He was a long time RCBS member and supporter. 

His obituary was posted on the Peoria Journal Star website on Saturday August 15th and is pasted below..

Cremation rites will be accorded. A service in remembrance of Don will be held at a later date.

Don was a dear friend and passionate supporter of the Blues and the River City Blues Society. His happy spirit, friendship and support will be missed.

Sincerely,

Bob Kieser
President

Obituary from the Peoria Journal Star 8/15/09

LINK:  http://www.legacy.com/PJStar/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=131432184

Metamora - Donald L. Ashurst, 65, of Metamora passed away on Monday, Aug. 3, 2009, at 7:11 a.m. at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

He was born on June 24, 1944, in Peoria to Albert N. and Violet D. Dentino Ashurst. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, Dean Hurt. He married Laura Wakefield in Peoria. He later married Debbie Rodgers on Oct. 26, 1988, in Maui, Hawaii.

She survives, along with one brother, Albert (Eleanor) Ashurst of Hudson, Ohio; several nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, stepfather and his son, Daniel Lewis Ashurst.

Don was a graduate of Richwoods High School and Brown's Business College and was a Navy veteran.

He had worked at Caterpillar Tractor Co.; was the owner of ComputerLand franchises in Peoria, Bloomington and Springfield from 1977 to 2000; and was the owner of Grandview Laundry from 2003 to the present.

He was a member of the Peoria Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Peoria River City Blues Society, having formerly served as VP. He was a member of H.O.G. and Peo-Taz Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois.

There was nothing Don would rather be doing than listening to the blues or riding his Harley.

Don also was a former member of Emergency 116 Ambulance Service.

Don was of the Catholic faith.

Cremation rites will be accorded. A service in remembrance of Don will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to River City Blues Society, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Emergency 116 Ambulance Service or the charity of the donor's choice.

Schmidt-Haller Burial and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.