Dustin Ashbrook

Dustin J. Ashbrook went to his eternal home to be with the Lord on April 6, 2023. Dustin was born in Chillicothe, Ohio on March 14, 1981, to Fred Ashbrook and Pamela Kasler.  For the past twenty years, he has resided in California.   Dustin is survived by his daughter, Amaya Branson, and granddaughter, Milan Crutchfield, of Dallas, North Carolina, sister Brooke (Nathan) Vitatoe, and his parents of Chillicothe, Ohio.   He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Robert and Jean Kasler, his paternal grandparents, Lutz and Marjorie Ashbrook, his aunt, Sharon Ashbrook Hyer, and his cousin, Kimberly Hyer Chamberlain.   Dustin was a 1999 graduate of Chillicothe High School. He attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio where he received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Healthcare Administration. He used his personal and professional experience to serve with a compassionate heart all those whose lives he touched. He loved his family and was a loyal friend with a sweet and tender spirit. His friends said, "Dustin touched so many people's lives, and we can't explain how much he meant to us." Dustin was special. He would give the coat off his back to a stranger and was known to bring comfort to those in need. It wasn't unusual for Dustin to pull over if he saw someone struggling on the street in a wheelchair and offer help or caring conversation. He saw something special in every person which was a characteristic he learned from his mom.  His heart was as big as Texas, and he spoke hope and life into people's lives. A dear friend of his said, "Everything I have is because of Dustin…everything." His family and friends are filled with gratitude for the blessing of having known such a selfless person.   He will always be remembered for his gentle ways and tender heart which endeared him to all that knew him and were loved by him. Having spent the first half of his life in Ohio and the second half in California, you could say he was a "Cali/Ohio guy." He loved the California sun and ocean as well as the leaves and snow slopes of Ohio. Because his heart was in Ohio, he recently talked of moving home to be closer to family. However, he felt torn since he also had a vibrant life and an amazing family of friends he loved in California. Dustin loved having his sister live in California for two years and the many family visits. His favorite memories were teaching his daughter to ride her bike and watching her ride on her own for the first time. He cheered her on with such joy! His favorite memory in California was taking his daughter jet skiing in the ocean. During a recent visit to California, his sister shared how Dustin's eyes twinkled and his whole face lit up when he talked about his daughter Amaya. He smiled as he described how proud he was of the amazing woman she has become.   Though we deeply miss Dustin, as a family of believers in Christ Jesus, we are comforted by the promise that we will be reunited for eternity in heaven with him and our Savior Jesus. Dustin had given his heart to Jesus many years ago on Palm Sunday. He praised the Lord in the valleys and the mountain tops, giving all the glory to God for every good thing in his life. In his walk with the Lord, he had received the abundant mercy and grace of God.   A private graveside service will be held at Springbank Cemetery under the direction of the Haller Funeral Home and Dr. Reverend J. Troy Gray officiating. The family welcomes your personal memories of Dustin as we celebrate his life. Reading your shared experiences will be a great comfort, and we thank you. Memorial gifts (flowers) for the family may be sent to Haller Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be sent to: AC Ministries, c/o Rachelle Gray, P.O. Box 157, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601.   Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the gift of Dustin in our lives. It is not how long we live that counts, but how lovingly we live that matters. May we remember that it's the donation of our life to others rather than the duration that adds eternal value to a life. We thank You for the treasured memories of Dustin that will forever enrich our lives.  Help us to make our lives more dedicated and more devoted to serving others for Your glory. We thank you for Your comfort and blessed assurance that Dustin has found a perfect place in Your arms. We pray in the Name of Jesus, Your only Son, who was so young Himself when He died on the cross, and we praise You that He rose from the dead so that all who believe in Him can have eternal life. Amen.
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