Asher 'Ash' David Oakes, 91, of Zearing passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Visitation will be on Friday, March 4, 2016 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Fredregill Funeral Home in Zearing. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, in McCallsburg, with Pastor Kathy Sandmann officiating. Burial will follow in the Lincoln Township Cemetery in Zearing. Ash was born on July 24, 1924, first son of Samuel X and Ildra (Smith) Oakes. Growing up on the farm with his two brothers, Ash was involved with 4-H, showing calves at county fairs throughout central Iowa and the Iowa State Fair. Ash graduated from Zearing High School in 1942. Ash enrolled at Iowa State University in the fall of 1942. He finished one quarter before enlisting in the Army. On March 19, 1945 Ash married Arlene Herbrechtsmeier and they moved to Little Rock, Arkansas where Ash was stationed in the Army. Ash and Arlene returned to the family farm after Ash's service where they raised their two children, Jim and Beth. Ash spent most of his life on his family farm. He and Arlene raised their children there where Ash farmed and loved feeding cattle. Ash was a long-time member of the Nesco School Board, Zearing Legion, Township Trustee, Senior Citizens Housing Board, and helped his children and other with their 4-H calves. He served on the Zearing Park Board for several years, taking up where Arlene left off with the planning and construction of the Dakins Community Center. He and Arlene traveled extensively throughout the United States visiting almost every state. Trips to Germany, Nova Scotia and Alaska were some of the highlights. Those remaining to cherish Ash are son, James 'Jim' (Reva) Oakes of Zearing, Iowa; daughter, Beth (Clark) Lawler of Eldora, Iowa; 8 grandchildren, Kari Hornberg, Kami Perry, Brent Dubberke, Bryce Oakes, Michael Lawler, Emily Lawler; Josh Samuelson and Jenny Bothwell; 13 great-grandchildren, Jace Harris, Weston Lawler, Lexie Dubberke, J J Hornberg, Macy Perry, Jake Perry, Markus Bothwell, Kloye Bothwell, Tabitha Samuelson, Lily Samuelson, McCenna Dubberke, and Carver Dubberke. Ash was preceded in death by his parents, wife Arlene, two brothers Henry (Smith) and Sam, and a sister Bethany. Zearing will never be the same without Ash. Visitation Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care - Zearing 310 N. Center St. Zearing, IA 50278 Visitation 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Service Bethany Lutheran Church 50 S. 3rd St McCallsburg, IA 50154 Service 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Lincoln Township Cemetery HWY E18 Zearing, Iowa 50278 Burial 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM