Steve Asher, 59, of Lily, formerly of Red Bird, passed away on Monday, December 31, 2012 at the Baptist Regional Medical Center. He was born on May 5, 1953 at Beverly, KY to the late Malcom and Fannie Bailey Asher. After the death of his parents, two great ladies, Georgia Asher Shumate and Clara Asher, his parents-in-law, Wilson and Myrtle Slusher helped to raise and care for him.

Steve had been a member and Deacon of the Cow Fork Primitive Baptist Church at Beverly and after moving to Lily he was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church for several years. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corp during the Vietnam Era.

He had worked at the Red Bird Mission for 16 years in maintenance and was a bus driver and he had assisted in coaching basketball. After moving to Lily, he had worked at Napa Auto Parts and was a night watchman. Steve enjoyed playing as “Santa Claus” to all the children who met him and no matter when someone needed help, he was always there to offer whatever assistance they needed.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Chelsey Brooke Asher; four brothers, Lonnie Dean Asher, John Bailey, Orville Asher and James Edgar Asher.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Linda Ann Slusher Asher; three children, Stephanie M. Brock and husband, Gene; James Robert “Jim Bob” Asher and wife, Serena and Allison Asher; nine grandchildren, three of whom he raised as his own, Miranda Messer, Jordan Asher and Lila Kiara Asher; Alicia Blevins and husband, Wayne; Jenna Pogue and husband, Jonathan; Wesley Steele, Kaitlyn Asher, Kristen Asher and Joshua Asher; Steve was looking forward to becoming a great-grandfather in February; four sisters and their husbands, Barbara Jean and Kenneth Thacker; Sarah and David Hobbs; Charlotte and Ed Hatmaker and Glinda and Bob Bondarek; five brothers, Paul Asher and wife, Debbie; Malcom Asher and wife, Tonya, Earl Asher Lee and wife, Donna ; Odie Asher Carroll and wife, Wanda and his brother and best friend, Winston Asher; sister-in-law, Flo Asher. He leaves behind a host of sister-and brothers-in-law; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Arnett & Steele Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Hershell Walker and Rev. James Slusher. Music will be by Hershell Walker and Della and Lloyd Asher. Burial will be in the Slusher/Asher Cemetery at Red Bird, KY. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews, Wesley Steele, Joshua Asher, Jordan Asher, Cody Slusher, Edgar Dean Asher and Wayne Blevins. Honorary pallbearers will be Rodney Collett, Winston Asher and Coach John D. Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to assist with funeral expenses.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 9 p.m. Thursday at the Arnett & Steele Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Pineville, which is honored to serve the Asher Family. Light a virtual candle and sign the guest register at www.arnettsteele.com.