Timothy E. Ashcraft, 70, of Aurora, entered peacefully into eternal rest surrounded by his beloved family on Monday, February 17, 2025. Timothy, who was affectionately known as Tim by his friends and family, was born on Thursday, September 30,1954 to Mildred (née Meyers) and Floyd (Elmer) Ashcraft in Milan, Indiana. He was raised on the family farm in Dillsboro and he loved sharing memories of his years growing up on Arlington. His grandparents lived on the family farm down the road and he spent much of his youth there hunting on the sprawling land that he so dearly loved.
Tim graduated from Dillsboro High School in 1972 and attended IUPUI College of Mortuary Science. Tim was united in marriage with his beautiful bride, Debbie (née Fox) in 1977 and they were married for over 45 years until the time of her passing in 2022. Tim was a dedicated employee of Aurora Casket Company for over twenty-five years and he was a skilled, dependable metal fabricator. His greatest accomplishment and most fulfilling role during his time at Aurora Casket Company was as Union President, Safety Director, and Union Steward with The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local M300. His mission was to serve, protect, and defend the members of the Lodge. Tim was a man that took a firm stance on what he believed in, and it was his honor and privilege to represent his fellow union members.
Tim had many interests throughout his life, and he took great joy in the things he loved. In his younger years, he enjoyed small and big game hunting and was skilled at using a rifle and a bow. During the warmer months, he loved fishing in local ponds and took pride in frying up his daily catch for his family to enjoy for dinner. He tended to his small garden in the back yard where he planted peppers, green beans, and tomatoes. Tim loved cooking and baking and would make fried green tomatoes from what he harvested in his garden, and bake delicious homemade pies, a skill that he learned from his father. His favorite memory was from New Year’s Eve with his wife, Debbie, and riding the mechanical bull at Bobby Mackey’s.
Tim’s greatest accomplishment in life and what he loved the most was being a father and grandfather. His daughter Mandy and granddaughters brought him so much happiness and joy, and he never missed an opportunity to express how proud he was of them. Papaw Tim was the most devoted and loving grandpa in existence, and his undying love for them was present even in his final days on this earth. He was so very proud of each one of them and he had a unique way of making them feel special and loved. He had a tremendous impact on their lives, and he will always be a very special part of who they are and who they become in the future. Papaw often referred to his girls as “little missy,” “sugar bear,” or “the ladies” and he loved being present at their school lunches, grandparent’s day events, and sporting events. He beamed with pride at the fact they all were on the swim team, because he himself couldn’t swim. Papaw Tim loved to share his cooking skills with his girls and making his coveted holiday dressing from scratch became a staple at every holiday gathering as they got older. Papaw Tim was truly the epitome of what a father and grandfather should be, and his legacy will forever live on through them.
Tim is survived by his beloved daughter and son-in-law Mandy (née Ashcraft) and Victor Schneider; three beautiful granddaughters, Tori, Annabelle, and Stella Schneider; sisters Barb (the late Billy) Cook, Joan (Jim) Hanna, and Cheryl (Mark) Neal; sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws Harry (Linda) Fox, Paul R. (Toni S.) Fox, Laurel (Julie) Fox, Tim (Tabitha H.) Fox, Tracy (Lisa) Fox, Pam (John) Armbruster, Heather (Jeff) Dierckman, and Abby (Matt) Scheiner; his grandpup Sadie; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Tim was welcomed to heaven by his beautiful wife Debbie (née Fox) Ashcraft; his parents Mildred (née Meyers) and Floyd Elmer Ashcraft; his in-laws Paul and Mabel Fox; brothers-in-law Billy Cook and Chris Fox; nieces Brenda Barr and Tiffany Dunbar; nephew Troy Kelch.
Family and friends may gather in remembrance of Tim from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at the Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home in Milan. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 PM officiated by Reverend Jim Meade. He will be laid to eternal rest at Oakdale Cemetery immediately following. Memorial donations in Tim’s name may be directed to the following: Roger Bacon High School, Queen City Hospice, or Red Wolf Sanctuary and Raptor Rehabilitation.
A special thank you to Queen City Hospice for their loving and devoted care in Tim’s final hours.
Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements: 707 S. Main St., P.O. Box 243, Milan, IN 47031. (812) 654-2141. Please visit our website at www.lawscarrmoore.com to share your condolences and memories of Tim.