Obituary of Donald G. Ashcraft

Donald Ashcraft, taxi driver Donald G. Ashcraft of Florence was well-suited to his chosen profession of taxi driving. With a friendly smile, he always welcomed a stranger into his cab. He retired from the Skyline Cab Co. "He was very friendly. He would just talk to anybody, really. He never met a stranger," said his adopted daughter, JoAnn Hooper of Florence. Mr. Ashcraft, 72, died Wednesday at St. Luke Hospital in Florence. He was a member of St. Paul Church in Florence, and he served in the U.S. Air Force. He also enjoyed going to flea markets, hunting for bargains. Mr. Ashcraft never married, but he was a loving adoptive father and grandfather, Ms. Hooper said. "Nobody could ask for a better person than he was. He was always helpful to anyone who asked. He's in my heart. I was just a little squirt when I met him," she said. Mr. Ashcraft was born in Batesville, Ind., and moved to Florence in 1990. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Amata, earlier this year. Survivors in addition to Ms. Hooper are two grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Floral Hill Cemetery. Chambers & Grubbs in Florence is handling the arrangements. Interment will be at Floral Hills Cemetery.