Elizabeth “Betty” L. Ashpole, age 87, of Morrison, IL, died at her home on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Betty was born on August 8, 1938, in Sterling, IL, to Thomas P. and Helen C. (Sauer) Burke. She was educated in the Catholic grade schools in Sterling and attended Newman Catholic High School. On September 22, 1956, Betty married Charles Eugene “Gene” Ashpole in Sterling. Betty was first employed at Woolworth’s in Sterling and later at Smith’s Trust and Savings in Morrison. Following her marriage to Gene, she devoted herself to being a homemaker, a role she embraced with love and dedication. She was a faithful member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Prophetstown, where she was active in the Women’s Club. Betty’s greatest joy in life was spending time with her family and friends, especially attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities.
She is survived by her loving husband, Gene Ashpole; daughters, Laura (Kent) Hawk of Erie, IL, Kim Vock of Sterling, and Bridget (Cary) Schubert of Mesa, AZ; sons, Todd (Marlene) Ashpole of Geneseo, IL, and Troy Ashpole of Lyndon, IL; 18 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Dr. Michele Lee Ashpole; sisters, Lois Frank, Patricia Tiesman, and Billie Ebersole; brother, John Burke.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, January 16, 2026, at the Bosma-Gibson Funeral Home in Prophetstown, IL.
Cremation rites will be accorded following the Visitation.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Prophetstown, IL, with Rev. Fr. David J. Reese, Pastor, officiating.
Interment will take place at Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison, IL, at a later date.
A memorial has been established.