Vincent Ashley III

H. Vincent "Vinnie" Ashley III, 60, of Galatia, Ill., passed away Monday, Aug. 6, 2012, at St. Louis University Hospital.

He was born Sept. 2, 1951, in Cape Girardeau, to the late Dr. Hugh V. and Dora Angelyn Smith Ashley Jr.

Vinnie was a 1969 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School.

He served in the U.S. Navy.

Vinnie earned a bachelor's degree in general studies from Southeast Missouri State University in 1978, and a master of science in health care administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1983. He also obtained a degree in mortuary science and a paramedic license. Most recently Vinnie was president and CEO of Harrisburg Medical Center in Harrisburg, Ill. He previously served as president and CEO of Cibola General Hospital in Grants, N.M., as well as vice president of Professional Services at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, Ill.

He served as a Rotarian as well as in Kiwanis International. He was a charter member of Air Evac in Tulsa, Okla.

He loved spending time with his family and friends, riding motorcycles, boating, and had a passion for animals.

Vinnie will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Melinda L. Ashley of Galatia; a son, Vince (Shelley) Ashley of Pana, Ill.; two stepdaughters, Jennifer Nichol of Urbana, Ill., Karen (Michael) Hill of Franklin, Mass.; siblings, Robin Fisher of Cape Girardeau, Joseph (Judy) Ashley of Richmond, Va., Linda (Darryl) Howe of Lawrenceburg, Ind.; grandchildren, including Mike, Coltin and Carsyn Ashley, and Connor Meade; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Christine Ashley; and grandfather, Dr. Hugh V. Ashley Sr.

Visitation will be from noon until service time Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

A celebration of life service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Harrisburg Medical Center Foundation in memory of Vince.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.