Ashton Marie Ilbery left this place way too soon on Aug. 13, 2011, at about noon, surrounded by family at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

She was born on Aug. 15, 1987, in Mt. Vernon, to Joe and Lori (Williams) Ilbery, who survive.

She is survived by a sister, Alia Ilbery, 21; a brother, Aaron Ilbery, 17; her fiance, Joe Thornton; her grandmother, Barbara Ilbery of Mt. Vernon; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by grandmother Lois Williams; grandfathers Owen Williams and Charles Ilbery; and two uncles, Loyd Ilbery and Gene Rice.

Ashton graduated Mt. Vernon Township High School in 2005, attended Rend Lake College for a year and attended Kaskaskia Cosmetology Program, where she received her degree. She worked at Salon Hollywood in Mt. Vernon for a brief time until they closed and two years ago opened The Hair Emporium with her mother. She was an amazing hairdresser! She definitely had that gift.

Ashton loved life, people and, of course, the Lord. She always had a smile on her face. She was a free-spirited, beautiful girl. Everyone couldn't help falling in love with her if they got in her space. It was like her soul shined straight through her. She was always ready to help others — such an inspiration to those that knew her.

She was so very fortunate to find true love. She and Joe had something only read about in novels or see in movies. They started dating right after high school, and they loved a lot of the same things: Being outdoors, attending music festivals and living life to the fullest. The only disagreement that they had was she was a Cardinals fan and he was, unfortunately, a Cubs Fan.

Their love was really rare. One could only have admiration for Joe knowing how he loved her through her entire battle. He never left her side, never complaining. He took care of her in every way. When her hair came out, he didn't seem to notice at all. He would look into her eyes and would tell her how beautiful she was, kiss her all over her face, walk away and come back for more. He washed her face, cooked meals for her, made sure she took her meds, etc. For being as young as he is and to do the things he did can only come from that kind of love. Truly amazing.

They became engaged last year on her birthday and were planning a July 2012 wedding. The only reason they were waiting was she wanted her own hair to be back. She was so looking forward to that day. In most eyes they were married already.

They shared a dog they both loved so much, Rocko.

Ashton was an artist, too. She won some art awards in school and through the Mitchell Museum when she was in high school. Arts and crafts — all of it — was her passion; making jewelry and hula hoops were some of her latest favorites. She also had a real eye for decorating and, of course, fashion. She also wanted to teach young girls and maybe start a hula hoop work-out class at the local YMCA.

Another thing she wanted to do was to help with a program called "Look Good, Feel Good" at the Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis. Ashton always did her best to make herself look good. One time she was going to get chemotherapy, and when she walked in someone asked her if she was there to teach the class because she looked so great!

Ashton also had a lot of friends; it wasn't hard to see why. She is going to be, and already is, truly missed, and we look forward to the day we get to see her smiling face again.

In closing, this song/poem that her Uncle Terry wrote for her. It's beautiful.

"There's a beautiful girl with flowers in her hair walking down streets of gold — with a smile on her face. In all the world, there is none quite like her. Heaven's wings flew her away. Heaven only knows all the answers — questions unanswered forever and a day. But no one will forget her sweet and brave spirit, what our heart feels — words cannot say. There's a beautiful girl with flowers in her hair — she'll wait patiently for us to appear — in a new world where there's no sorrow and all of our tears wiped away. There's a beautiful girl with flowers in her hair. She sends her love on the wings of a prayer. She tells us not to worry about tomorrow. She will be with us each and every day. We love you, Ashton."

Funeral services will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Central Christian Church. Marty Mills will officiate. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Mt. Vernon.

Visitation will be held Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Central Christian Church in Mt. Vernon.

Memorials may be made to the Lymphoma Society, the family or the donor's choice and and will be accepted at the funeral home or mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home, where you may call (618)-242-3348 or visit www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com for further information and to send condolences.