Erma Ynez (Asher) Utley was born Sept 25, 1936 into a multi-generational circus family, to Kennard "Bud" Asher of IL. and Julia "Chuckie" [Broughton] Asher of England, who were performing with the Tom Mix Circus in Athens, Ga, at the time of Erma's birth. She was their only child together. They retired from the Circus, settling in IL. Erma briefly returned to circus life after high school, joining her sister Millie Ward on the Ringling Show.
Erma's 3 siblings; Eleanor Tucker, Mildred Ward and Mickey Cochran, preceded her in death. She loved their families much.
She was preceded in death by 3 husbands; Bob Jones, Stan Sopher, and her late husband Gerald R Utley. Jerry and Erma married in IL on Dec 24, 1980, moved to FL, retired to IL. They were in the automotive business.
Five children born to her, 2 infants preceded her in death: Todd A and Renae Y Jones. Surviving 3 children: Jay Jones (Andee), Shawn Sopher of OR, Lesa [Sopher] McClay (Bob) of Sarasota, FL, and 2 stepsons: Dan Utley (Paula) and Marc Utley (Rene), both of IL. She cherished each one.
"Nana" had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her heart also spoke of the ones far away or lesser known. Relocating back to Sarasota the family was blessed to share her final years together.
Erma was an avid indexer for Ancestry.com and as a point of pride was tech savy. She and her daughter enjoyed their family's research and quilting together. The 4-generations gathered often. Erma shared American History and told stories of her family, two of her favorite topics. Never a shortage of laughter, creativity or her good cooking at the table! She will always be alive in our hearts.
She passed with her family and Pastor around her in Hospice Care, Lakewood Ranch, FL, drawing her last earthly breath Sept 20, 2019.
Cremation Ashes placed graveside, St John's Cemetery, Bartonville, IL.
Erma's 3 siblings; Eleanor Tucker, Mildred Ward and Mickey Cochran, preceded her in death. She loved their families much.
She was preceded in death by 3 husbands; Bob Jones, Stan Sopher, and her late husband Gerald R Utley. Jerry and Erma married in IL on Dec 24, 1980, moved to FL, retired to IL. They were in the automotive business.
Five children born to her, 2 infants preceded her in death: Todd A and Renae Y Jones. Surviving 3 children: Jay Jones (Andee), Shawn Sopher of OR, Lesa [Sopher] McClay (Bob) of Sarasota, FL, and 2 stepsons: Dan Utley (Paula) and Marc Utley (Rene), both of IL. She cherished each one.
"Nana" had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her heart also spoke of the ones far away or lesser known. Relocating back to Sarasota the family was blessed to share her final years together.
Erma was an avid indexer for Ancestry.com and as a point of pride was tech savy. She and her daughter enjoyed their family's research and quilting together. The 4-generations gathered often. Erma shared American History and told stories of her family, two of her favorite topics. Never a shortage of laughter, creativity or her good cooking at the table! She will always be alive in our hearts.
She passed with her family and Pastor around her in Hospice Care, Lakewood Ranch, FL, drawing her last earthly breath Sept 20, 2019.
Cremation Ashes placed graveside, St John's Cemetery, Bartonville, IL.
Erma Ynez (Asher) Utley was born Sept 25, 1936 into a multi-generational circus family, to Kennard "Bud" Asher of IL. and Julia "Chuckie" [Broughton] Asher of England, who were performing with the Tom Mix Circus in Athens, Ga, at the time of Erma's birth. She was their only child together. They retired from the Circus, settling in IL. Erma briefly returned to circus life after high school, joining her sister Millie Ward on the Ringling Show.
Erma's 3 siblings; Eleanor Tucker, Mildred Ward and Mickey Cochran, preceded her in death. She loved their families much.
She was preceded in death by 3 husbands; Bob Jones, Stan Sopher, and her late husband Gerald R Utley. Jerry and Erma married in IL on Dec 24, 1980, moved to FL, retired to IL. They were in the automotive business.
Five children born to her, 2 infants preceded her in death: Todd A and Renae Y Jones. Surviving 3 children: Jay Jones (Andee), Shawn Sopher of OR, Lesa [Sopher] McClay (Bob) of Sarasota, FL, and 2 stepsons: Dan Utley (Paula) and Marc Utley (Rene), both of IL. She cherished each one.
"Nana" had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her heart also spoke of the ones far away or lesser known. Relocating back to Sarasota the family was blessed to share her final years together.
Erma was an avid indexer for Ancestry.com and as a point of pride was tech savy. She and her daughter enjoyed their family's research and quilting together. The 4-generations gathered often. Erma shared American History and told stories of her family, two of her favorite topics. Never a shortage of laughter, creativity or her good cooking at the table! She will always be alive in our hearts.
She passed with her family and Pastor around her in Hospice Care, Lakewood Ranch, FL, drawing her last earthly breath Sept 20, 2019.
Cremation Ashes placed graveside, St John's Cemetery, Bartonville, IL.
Erma's 3 siblings; Eleanor Tucker, Mildred Ward and Mickey Cochran, preceded her in death. She loved their families much.
She was preceded in death by 3 husbands; Bob Jones, Stan Sopher, and her late husband Gerald R Utley. Jerry and Erma married in IL on Dec 24, 1980, moved to FL, retired to IL. They were in the automotive business.
Five children born to her, 2 infants preceded her in death: Todd A and Renae Y Jones. Surviving 3 children: Jay Jones (Andee), Shawn Sopher of OR, Lesa [Sopher] McClay (Bob) of Sarasota, FL, and 2 stepsons: Dan Utley (Paula) and Marc Utley (Rene), both of IL. She cherished each one.
"Nana" had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her heart also spoke of the ones far away or lesser known. Relocating back to Sarasota the family was blessed to share her final years together.
Erma was an avid indexer for Ancestry.com and as a point of pride was tech savy. She and her daughter enjoyed their family's research and quilting together. The 4-generations gathered often. Erma shared American History and told stories of her family, two of her favorite topics. Never a shortage of laughter, creativity or her good cooking at the table! She will always be alive in our hearts.
She passed with her family and Pastor around her in Hospice Care, Lakewood Ranch, FL, drawing her last earthly breath Sept 20, 2019.
Cremation Ashes placed graveside, St John's Cemetery, Bartonville, IL.
Gravesite Details
Cremated in Sarasota, FL. in 2019.
Ashes placed at gravesite in Bartonville, IL. 2020.
Obituary placed in Sarasota Herald Tribune Sept 2021.
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