Samuel J. Ash, 69, passed away May 18, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Sept. 11, 1944, in Marston, to Mary Ford Ash Poore of New Madrid, and the late Samuel Laudell Ash. He was a member of Evergreen Baptist Church in Marston and the Masonic Lodge in Point Pleasant. An alderman for the city of Marston and a past school board member for the New Madrid County R-1 School District, he was employed with Noranda Aluminum until his retirement. On Sept. 5, 1964, in Piggott, Ark., he married Mary Lou Taylor, who survives of the home. Other survivors include: one daughter and son-in-law, Christi and Ben Ashley of New Madrid; one son, Samuel Mark Ash of Marston; one brother, Christopher Ash of Scott City; and three grandchildren, Samuel Grant Ash of Marston, Stephen Casey Ash of Alaska and Hannah Marie Ash of New Madrid. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard Ash and Danny Ash. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. today at Richards Funeral Home where services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday. The Rev. Webb Manley will officiate. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in New Madrid.