Nettie Ashelman, Trumbull GOP icon, dies at 94

July 6, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

WARREN

Nettie B. Ashelman, an iconic Republican in Democratic-dominated Trumbull County, will be remembered for her passion to the political party and the county.

Ashelman died Tuesday in the Medina home of her son, James E. McCreanor. She was 94.

Ashelman served 30 years on the Trumbull County Board of Elections, retiring in 2006.

“She was a very dedicated, great person to work with,” said Craig Bonar, the former county Republican chairman. “She could be difficult, and she was set in her ways, but I was very pleased to have the opportunity to work with her.”

Ashelman got involved in Trumbull Republican politics in 1965, serving as a precinct committee member and on the party’s executive committee.

Also, she was a member of Warren’s Republican Women’s Club since 1966, serving as president and secretary. She was the club’s membership chairwoman for 30 years.

She also was a longtime Republican state central committeewoman, and was a 42-year member of the Mahoning Valley McKinley Republican Club, serving as president and vice president. She was banquet chairwoman up until her death.

She worked for more than 50 years for General Electric Ohio Lamp Works.

Ashelman was active in many civil organizations, including being a founding member of the Historic Perkins Homestead Neighborhood Association and the Harriet Taylor Upton Association.