Joseph "Joey" Allen Ashley, Machinist Mate 2nd Class (U.S.N.), a lifelong resident of Manchester, Ohio, when home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 9, at the age of 24.

Joey died as a result of severe head injuries he sustained when the nuclear submarine U.S.S. San Francisco, home-based in Guam, ran aground while out on maneuvers in the South Pacific.

He leaves parents, Daniel and Vicki Ashley of Manchester; brothers, Daniel, Jr. (Dawn) of Canal Fulton, Ohio; PFC Benjamin (Kati) of Fort Bragg, North Carolina; grandparents, Joseph Jr. and Helen Ashley of Reedy, West Virginia, Rev. Dallas and Ellen Smith of Harrisville, West Virginia; aunts and uncles, Linda June (Ashley) Fleisher of Akron, Ohio, Les (Debbie) Ashley of Doylestown, Ohio, Jim (Lyneen) Ashley of Reedy, West Virginia, Dallas, Jr. (Teri) Smith of Rossville, Georgia, Alfred (Kathy) Smith of Mason, Ohio, and Aaron (Barb) Smith of Manchester.  He also leaves many close and loving cousins, shipmates and friends.

Joey was a 1999 graduate of Manchester High School, where he was a member of the marching band and was also a member of Boy Scout Troop 118.  After graduation he chose to follow his father's footsteps and joined the Navy in 2001.  He was also a member of both the Canal Fulton Baptist Church and the Akron Baptist Temple and frequented many other churches in the area.  Wherever he was based, he found a church to attend.  Joey never met a stranger.  His personality captured and affected each of us in its own way, and his memory will remain in our hearts forever.  Joey was loved by all who knew him and we are all blessed to have had him in our lives, even for such a short time.

Dan and Vicki and family would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming outpouring of love, support and prayers during this very difficult time.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 15 at 8:00 p.m. at the Akron Baptist Temple, 2324 Manchester Rd., Manchester, with Pastors George Stitz and Dallas Billington officiating.  Visitation there will be from 2-7:30 p.m. Saturday.

An additional funeral service will be Sunday, January 16 at 1:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Roane County High School, Spencer, WV, with the Rev. Michael F. "Mike" King officiating.

Burial with military honors will be in the Fox Cemetery, Reedy, West Virginia.  Visitation will be at the Roane County High School auditorium from 10:00 a.m. until time of service Sunday.  Local arrangements are under the direction of the John H. Taylor Funeral Home, Spencer, West Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Joseph Ashley Memorial Scholarship in care of Manchester High School, 437 W. Nimisila Rd., Akron, Ohio  44319.