Obituary

Barry L. Ash, age 79, of Johnstown, passed away Tuesday morning, July 1, 2025. He was born on February 10, 1946, at his family’s farmhouse in Acosta, a son to the late Sara (Yoder) and Henry Ash.

Barry is survived and missed by his loving wife Joanne (Planinsek) of nearly 43 years. He was so loved and survived by his five children, Lisa Yeckley (husband Gerald Yeckley), Scott Ash (wife Joanna Miller-Ash), Jennifer Shaffer (husband Rick Shaffer), Sara Sheehan (husband Luke Sheehan), and Molly Ward (husband Jonathan Ward). Stories and memories of Barry will be shared with his nine grandchildren, Matthew Baer, Alex Ash, Taryn Chalfant, Tyler Shaffer, Adam Yeckley, Emily Shaffer, Audrey Sheehan, Henry Ward, and Theo Ward, and three great-grandchildren, Isla and Layla Baer and Ellis Chalfant.

He grew up on the Ash family farm alongside his siblings. He is preceded in death by a sister, Bonnie, and brother, Timothy Ash. He is survived by his loving sisters, Suzanne DiFrancesco (husband Edward) and Lori Huston; sister-in-law, Cindy Ash; and brother-in-law, Doug Huston. He loved his many nieces and nephews and could always be counted on to make them laugh.

Barry had a banking career for nearly 25 years, followed by owning and managing Country Garden 6-Pak in Johnstown for 34 years. He accumulated many lifelong friends over the course of his two careers. He enjoyed many years of golfing, casino outings, Mug Club dinners, playing cards, going on cruises with Joanne, and most of all he treasured spending time with his children and their families. In his retirement he spent time working in his workshop building birdhouses and other custom projects for his loved ones. He was a master storyteller, and always had a joke up his sleeve. He was always eager to help where help was needed. A loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend; he set an example for everyone who came to know him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. To honor his memory, tell a joke, spend time with family, share a beer with a friend, or lend a helping hand.

Arrangements in care of Simple Alternatives Inc., “Affordable Cremation & Sensible Funeral Care.” Condolences may be made at SimpleAlternativeCares.com.