Richard Ashenfelter

Richard G. Ashenfelter, 83, formerly of Trenton, passed away on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, at his home in Ft. Scott, KS.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at Dockery Chapel United Methodist Church near Trenton. Inurnment will be at the Coon Creek Cemetery at a later date.
Cremation was under the direction of McWilliams Funeral Home in Jamesport.
Mr. Ashenfelter was born on Sept. 11, 1930 in Trenton, the son of Walter and Lily (Haynes) Ashenfelter. He graduated from Trenton High School in 1950 and was a district champion quarterback. After graduation, he was married in Chillicothe on July 18, 1950 to Donna Lee Hamilton. The couple made their home in the Trenton area and to this union two children were born, Tracy and Kristin. Richard worked for a time at the shoe store in downtown Trenton before making his career with the Rock Island Railroad. During this time, Richard, who was always an avid sports enthusiast and athlete, officiated local football, refereed basketball, and began running. He competed in many local 5K and 10K races, and even ran in two marathons at the age of 52.
After retiring from the railroad, he attended Trenton Junior College and Northeast Missouri State, obtaining his bachelor’s of science degree in education. Through the encouragement of his wife, he learned the art of basketmaking, a tradition that had been in his family since before the Civil War. Richard and Donna took a couple of years off and traveled all over the Midwest and eastern United States telling folk stories and weaving hickory baskets.
During the winter of 1984, Richard suffered a terrible accident while cutting firewood, which broke his back in multiple places. His excellent physical condition allowed him to crawl to safety and eventually make a full recovery. Though he never ran again, Richard became a devoted swimmer and some years later accomplished 100 miles of swimming at the Chillicothe YMCA.
He enjoyed substitute teaching, primarily at the high school and middle school levels, and helping his wife, Donna, with her students at Rissler Elementary and later at Pleasant View R-6 schools.
Richard attended the Dockery Chapel Church for many years, where he enjoyed the fellowship, sometimes hosting children’s moments, and even once or twice delivering the Sunday message.
An enthusiastic supporter of the Trenton Bulldogs, the North Central Missouri College Pirates and Mizzou, Richard eagerly enjoyed watching all types of sports. He was a class A cardplayer, a wonderful storyteller and always enjoyed sharing a new joke. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who spent his life making those around him smile. His legacy of storytelling, humor and love of family and friends will live on through those who knew and loved him. He was an inspiration who will be greatly missed.
Richard is survived by a son, Tracy Ashenfelter and his wife, Mary of Ft. Worth, TX one sister, Tressia Snyder and her husband, Ronald of Brookfield, two grandchildren, Courtenay Slinkard of Fulton, KS and Keenan Ashenfelter of Lafayette, CO; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his daughter Kristin Roberts; a great-grandson, Tommy Hillburn; and two nephews, Mark Callen and Barry Snyder.
Memorials are requested for the Mercy Hospice of Ft. Scott, KS, Dockery Chapel United Methodist Church, or the Trenton High School Booster Club. They may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 501 N. Locust, Jamesport, MO 64648.