Jessie Ola (VanLaningham) Asher, 85, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday (March 25, 2014) at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.

The daughter of Dee Jonas and Esther Emma (Ewing) VanLaningham, she was born Mary 30, 1928 in Kirksville, Missouri. On October 29, 1945, Jessie was united in marriage to Francis “Bud” Asher who preceded her in death on November 3, 1994.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, and three sisters, Anna Louise and Sophie & Mirrel both in infancy.

Jessie is survived by one son, Jerry Asher of Kirksville, MO; two brothers, Carl VanLaningham and wife Linda of Kirksville, MO and Bob VanLaningham of Kirksville, MO; two sisters, Jeanetta Chrisman and husband Duane and Sue Lawson and husband, Duane all of Kirksville, MO; one daughter-in-law, Shirley Asher of LaPlata, MO; two grandchildren, Larry E. Asher of Kirksville, MO and Kellie Wehner and husband Wes of LaPlata, MO; two great-grandchildren, Katlyn and Robert Asher both of LaPlata, MO, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Jessie received her education in the Mulberry rural school and Kirksville public schools. She was a homemaker who enjoyed flowers, gardening, yard sales, reading, crossword puzzles and humming birds.

She had a great love for her family and will be sadly missed.

Jessie was a member of the Hazel Creek Free Will Baptist Church of Kirksville where she was active with the Ladies Auxiliary.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday (March 28, 2014) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Rick Chapman officiating. Interment will follow the service at Hazel Creek Cemetery, northwest of Kirksville.

Family will receive friends on Friday (March 28, 2014) for one hour before the service in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Joe Schmitter, Weston Newell, Bobby VanLaningham, Russell Jeffries, Loren Wright and Doug Hamilton. Honorary bearers will be Maize and Wendell Sevits and Wanda Riley.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Jessie Asher may be made to the Hazel Creek Cemetery. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.