On Sunday, Garth Ashley will be 92 years old. A resident at Kindred Hearts in Shawano, he has been having regular visits from a hospice therapy dog, Bob.
On Wednesday, Bob and his owners, ThedaCare At Home Hospice volunteers Dennis and Judi Jansen, visited him for an early birthday celebration with balloons and cake.
“I couldn’t ask for better treatment,” Ashley said about the people at Kindred Hearts.
He is a four-year veteran of World War II, serving in Germany, France and Belgium in the 59th Division Signal Corps. He helped lay communication lines.
“We kept everything going,” Ashley said.
After service he worked at the former Hotz Manufacturing in Shawano, then for the Shawano School District for 30 years.
When he retired, Ashley, who is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano, was an usher for many years. As a member of the Knights of Columbus, he helped with the porkie pancake breakfasts and the Tootsie Roll sales.
For many years he helped the Council of Catholic Women with their church rummage sales.
“I think he was their best customer,” said his wife of 66 years, Jeanette.
They have four children, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
“I got a wonderful woman for a wife,” Ashley said.
He used to help at the Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center stocking shelves and sorting food.
Ashley, who was born in Green Bay, graduated from Shawano High School in 1941.
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