(jane_asher.rtf is the same obituary text, but better for printing.   There's also a eulogy, at jane_asher_eulogy.txt.)

Jane Aldrich Asher, 80, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends, on Wednesday, June 12, 2002, after a nine year battle with cancer.

She was preceeded in death by her husbands, Charles Wesley Burton, Pendleton Beall, Jr., and Marshall Alton Asher, Jr.

She is survived by brothers Clare Aldrich of Bakersfield, CA, and Lyman Aldrich and his wife, Dorothy, of Kalamazoo, MI; and eight children and stepchildren: Diana Ellison, David Burton, Richard Beall, Patricia Cadiz, David Beall, Liz Beall, Steve Beall, and Peg Burton; and seven grandchildren: John Ellison, Nick Beall, Dawn Beall, Heather Beall, Renee Beall, Cady Cadiz, and Cloe Cadiz; and three great-grandchildren: Morgan Ellison, Regan Ellison, and Zane Beall.

She was born Jane Carrier Aldrich in Topeka, Kansas on August 14, 1921, the youngest of three children of Dr. and Mrs. John A. Aldrich. She grew up in Atlanta, GA, and in 1942 she graduated with a BA in Science from Oglethorpe University. She worked as a chemist for Dupont (AL), Celanese (MD & NJ), and Monsanto (TX).

She married Charlie Burton in August, 1948 in Montclair, NJ, and they had three children. Charlie died in 1962, three months before their last child was born.

Jane moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, and in 1964 started work as a clinical chemist at Leila Hospital. She was head of the chemistry department when she retired to marry Pen Beall in 1974, adding four more children to the family.

In 1980 Jane and Pen moved to Edgemont, AR and joined Hope Lutheran Chapel. They were instrumental in building the new Lutheran church in Edgemont, now named Peace Lutheran Church. Pen died in 1991.

At a 1992 reunion at Oglethorpe, Jane rekindled her friendship with Marshall Asher. They were married in May, 1993, adding one more daughter to the family. Marshall died in July, 2001.

Jane was an avid golfer, bridge player, sailor, and earned her Student Pilot Certificate in 1944. She volunteered for and supported numerous charities, and taught adults to read with the Van Buren Literacy Council. She was a lifelong member and supporter of the Kappa Delta Sorority and the PEO Sisterhood, and was very active in church activites, including choir, Vacation Bible School, and Ruth Circle.

In 1984, Jane was the founding administrator of the Heart of the Lake Hospice, the first all-volunteer hospice organization in Arkansas. To help those not eligible for hospice, she also helped develop a "Neighbor to Neighbor" volunteer group, and a widows' support group.

The family will receive visitors at Woodland Memorial Park on Hwy 16 in Edgemont from 6 pm to 8 pm on Friday, June 14, and there will be a memorial service on Saturday at 10:30 am at Peace Lutheran Church on Hwy 16 in Edgemont. Interment will be at Woodland Memorial Park, Edgemont.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that gifts in Jane's memory may be given to Peace Lutheran Church, 10849 Edgemont Rd., Box 52, Edgemont, AR 72044, or to the cancer charity of your choice.

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