Longtime Effingham Resident Ronald Ray Ashbaugh Passes Away at 84

Ashbaugh, a carpenter and avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, is remembered for his service, woodworking, and love of turkey hunting.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Ronald Ray Ashbaugh, an 84-year-old resident of Effingham, Illinois, passed away on January 27, 2026. Ashbaugh, who served in the U.S. Army Reserve, worked as a carpenter for most of his life and was an avid outdoorsman and St. Louis Cardinals fan. Funeral services will be held on February 19, 2026 at Pagel Funeral Home in Edgewood, Illinois.

Why it matters

Ashbaugh's passing marks the loss of a longtime member of the Effingham community, where he lived and worked for decades. As a carpenter, he helped build over 40 homes in the area, and his love of the outdoors and the St. Louis Cardinals connected him to many in the region.

The details

Ashbaugh was born on May 24, 1941 in Effingham County, Illinois to Vaughn 'Joe' Ashbaugh and Catherine Slifer. He married Connie Hager in 1966 and was proud to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve. Ashbaugh worked as a carpenter for most of his life, building over 40 homes, until health issues in 1982 forced him to stop building, though he continued woodworking and turkey hunting, which he was passionate about. He was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

  • Ashbaugh passed away on January 27, 2026 in Effingham, Illinois.
  • Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at Pagel Funeral Home in Edgewood, Illinois.

The players

Ronald Ray Ashbaugh

An 84-year-old resident of Effingham, Illinois who worked as a carpenter and was an avid outdoorsman and St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Connie Ashbaugh

Ashbaugh's wife, who passed away before him.

Vaughn 'Joe' Ashbaugh

Ashbaugh's father.

Catherine Slifer

Ashbaugh's mother.

Kent Robinson

The pastor who will be presiding over Ashbaugh's funeral services.

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The takeaway

Ashbaugh's life and legacy in Effingham is marked by his service, carpentry work, love of the outdoors, and devotion to the St. Louis Cardinals. His passing is a loss for the local community that he was a part of for over eight decades.