Commander Gary Lee Ashby, US Navy (retired), age 70, of O'Fallon, Illinois, born September 13, 1940 in Champaign, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.

Mr. Ashby grew up in Monticello, Illinois, a small town he still considered home. He graduated from SIU Carbondale in 1964 with a degree in Business, then later from Central Michigan University, earning his MA in 1977. He entered the Navy in 1966, as a career Intelligence Officer. After retiring from the Navy, Cdr. Ashby continued his work with the CIA and later the National Security Agency, retiring in 2002. Gary was an ordained deacon in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), attended New Creation Presbyterian Church in O'Fallon and was a former Sunday School teacher.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Leander and Mary Kathleen, nee Malone, Ashby.

He is survived by his devoted wife Patricia, nee Egbert, Ashby of O'Fallon, two daughters Jennifer Lee (Charles Anthony Mallon) Mallon of Bristow, Va., and Tricia Kathleen (John Kenneth Scabis) Ashby-Scabis of Bowie, Md.; four grandchildren Tony and Patrick Mallon and Jacob and Mia Scabis; his brother, Michael Kent (Martha) Ashby of Champaign, Ill., and nephew Michael Ashby.

Memorial donations may be made to Siteman Cancer Center's Lymphoma Research Fund, Washington Univ., Campus Box 1204, 7425 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105.

Visitation: Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Sunday, October 17, 2010 at New Creation Presbyterian Church, (St. Michael's Episcopal Church) 111 O'Fallon Troy Rd., O'Fallon.

Funeral: 3:00 p.m., Sunday, October 17, 2010 at New Creation Presbyterian Church, (St. Michael's Episcopal Church) 111 O'Fallon Troy Rd., O'Fallon, with Rev. Dr. Christian D. Boyd officiating. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.

Graveside Service: Interment with full military honors will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 18, 2010 at Monticello Township Cemetery, Monticello, Illinois.