Kelly Joseph Ash was born in Washington, Indiana on April 8, 1973 to Sheila Colvin and Tom Ash. He unexpectedly passed away at his home in Avon on Sunday, February 2, 2025. He was a beloved son, father, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and coach.
Known as “Kash” or “Kellogg,” Kelly grew up in Washington, Indiana, attended Washington Catholic Schools, and graduated from St. Charles High School in St. Charles, Illinois. He loved hanging out with his friends, riding around town, and playing baseball and basketball any chance he could get. Kelly happily spent many of his younger days at The City Motel with his Colvin Family and the Ash Family Farm with his cousins. He treated his parents with care, love, admiration, and respect, and they were all very proud of him. He shared a love of family with his mom, a love of sports with his dad, a love of cars with Mike, and a love of all things Notre Dame with Anita. He looked back on his childhood with joy and laughter.
Kelly spent the best years of his life watching his two children, his pride and joy, grow up and develop into amazing adults. Kelly’s daughter Whittni, 31, has always made him proud with her independence, free spirit, devotion to her children, and caring heart. Whittni’s three children Caton Joseph, Taylor, and Goldie, made Kelly a “Pops,” which was a role he loved. Kelly’s son Konnor, 25, has always made him proud with his work ethic, his baseball career, and his competitive spirit. Kelly and Konnor spent countless hours playing catch and talking baseball, a pastime they both love to this day. Kelly spent many happy years coaching his kids, taking them on vacation, and hosting get-togethers at their house after baseball games. His children remember him as their best friend, and someone they could always turn to for encouragement, guidance, and acceptance. He was their biggest fan in all that they did.
Kelly’s family and friends fondly remember him as a trusted confidant, the life of the party, a free spirit with an open-mind, a hard worker, the best biscuits and gravy chef, and an avid sports fan of Notre Dame, Indiana University, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Philadelphia Phillies. He was a movie buff and loved music of all kinds, especially John Cougar Mellencamp. He never met a stranger, was a great listener, and could always offer good advice. He was very patriotic and was proud to be an American. He liked using his meat smoker, trying new recipes, or going for a cold beer (especially at McBride’s in Plainfield, IL.) He had a spot-on Donald Duck impression that could wow children of all ages. He was the “fun uncle” and was a Godfather to his niece Quincy. He lived for daily phone calls with his children, pulling off a good surprise, and arguing politics and Purdue Sports with his sisters.
Kelly was outgoing, hard working, honest, loyal and a true leader, all of which led him to several managerial positions throughout his career. He took great pride in coaching multiple baseball and softball teams over the years. He managed his own sports training facility, Legacy Athletics in Shorewood, IL, which gave him the opportunity to coach and mentor the lives of countless local athletes. He was a motivator and knew how to bring out the best in everyone. He always held himself, his family, and his athletes to high standards. He was very proud to have coached his softball team in the state finals, and more importantly, had a hand in the scholarship process for many of his student-athletes.
Those mourning Kelly’s death include his parents Mike & Sheila Spradlin of Huntley, IL; Tom & Anita Ash of Washington, IN; father-in-law Jim & Judy Trout, his paternal grandmother Mary Murphy; his daughter, Whittni Taylor (Kirk) Decker and their children Caton Joseph, Taylor, and Goldie Decker; his son, Konnor Thomas Ash; his wife of 25 years Kelly Lynn Ash Portz; his sisters Karly Ash, Kacey Ash (Kevin) Frette, and Francesca Spradlin; his uncle Scott Spradlin, his sisters-in-law Misty (Shane) Smith and Brandi (Chris) Johnson, his brother-in-law Jay Trout; his nephews Graham Frette, Jacob and Matthew Weber, and Wyatt Trout; his nieces Quincy Frette, Ava Sheldon, Elise Johnson Nelson, and Tana Trout; his companion Michelle Berry, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Those preceding him in death include his maternal grandparents Jack & Leta Colvin, paternal grandparents John & Rita Ash and Jim Murphy, mother-in-law Lynn Trout, uncle CJ Colvin, uncle John Colvin, aunt Linda Ash Hays, uncle Denny Ash, uncle Tony Murphy, and cousins Dustin Ash and Rachael Graves.
A memorial service will be held at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd, Joliet, IL, on Sunday, February 9, 2025, starting at 11:00 a.m. and concluding with a Sharing of Memories at 2:00 p.m. A celebration of life to follow at McBride’s Pub & Grill, 7162 Caton Farm Rd, in Plainfield, IL. As it was Kelly’s request, cremation rites have been accorded.
For more information or to leave an online condolence, visit his Memorial Tribute page at www.fredcdames.com.
