Miss Ashley Elizabeth Brugh, 30, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at Elkhart General Hospital on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 5:31 p.m. following a bravely fought bout with pneumonia, and while surrounded by the unwavering love and comforting presence of her family, Ashley entered into eternal rest.

Ashley was born on September 30, 1995, in Martinsville, Indiana, the beautiful, sweet, loving daughter of the late Rondald J. Brugh and Laurie Jean (Brian L.) Sayen Crabb of Elkhart Indiana. From her earliest days, Ashley possessed a rare sparkle – one that drew people in and made them feel immediately seen, heard, and valued.

Ashley leaves behind her Mother Laurie Jean and stepfather Brian; her beloved siblings Brittany (Lex) Brugh of Indianapolis and Alden Brugh of Elkhart; her step-siblings David Crabb and Dava Trant, both of Goshen; her sister-in-law Rachelle Brugh of Paragon, Indiana; and her treasured nieces and nephew – Akyra, Arius, and Winter – each of whom brought her immense joy and happiness. Additionally, she is survived by her two feline companions, Toonces and Abraham deLacey Giuseppe Casey Thomas O’Malley (yes, look it up) –known to most simply as “O’Malley.”

Along with her father Ronald, Ashley was preceded in death by her beloved siblings Aaron Brugh and Bethany Brugh. She had shared a home and unbreakable bond with Bethany in downtown Indianapolis. Though separated in time, Ashley, Aaron, and Bethany are now reunited – a thought that brings comfort to all who knew the depth of their love.

Ashley’s life will be celebrated in a memorial gathering of family and friends to be held on the 7 th of February from 12:00 p.m. through the evening, at 23616 Wilshire Blvd. E., Elkhart IN 46516. Burial took place at Sugar Grove Cemetery in Goshen, IN. Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart have been entrusted with arrangements.

Ashley was a caring, loving, free spirit. Beautiful, humorous, gentle, and stunningly charming, she moved through the world with an open heart and a fearless tenderness toward others. Ashley loved people deeply and had great compassion for those who felt overlooked, misunderstood, or left behind. She was instinctively drawn to the underdog and had a quiet but powerful way of standing up for others without drawing attention to herself. She believed fiercely in fairness, kindness, and second chances, and she lived those values with authenticity and grace.

Fun-loving and just quirky enough to keep things interesting, Ashley had a knack for adding life to any gathering without ever trying to steal the spotlight. She had lived in Indianapolis for several years and was unapologetically devoted to “downtown” Indy – its walkability, energy, and independence perfectly matched her spirit. She walked or biked nearly everywhere, navigating the city the same way she navigated life – with a great sense of adventure. As she ventured downtown Indy, she became acquainted with many in the community, with whom she demonstrated much love and care.

Ashley’s educational journey began with homeschooling, later graduating from Bethany Christian High School before continuing her studies at Goshen College. She had a dream of becoming a professional pilot – an aspiration sparked early by flying alongside her stepfather, Brian, a licensed private pilot. Ashley enjoyed copiloting the plane and it became clear that aviation had truly claimed her heart after she experienced the thrill of an open-cockpit, two-seater flight. That sense of freedom, wind, and endless horizon mirrored who Ashley was at her core.

Above all else, Ashley loved her family unequivocally and without reservation. Her father and her shared a loving relationship, where he gave a day each week for education, and they enjoyed shopping together and cuddling during movies. Her mother Laurie Jean will forever treasure their quiet moments together – sharing coffee or tea, heartfelt conversations, and lively games of “Pounce,” a favorite family card game. She loved all of her siblings for their own uniqueness and had strong bonds with each one. During the times when all siblings came together, the energy in the room would rise to the ceiling with fun, playful conversation, and laughter. Ashley also wore the title of “Aunt” with pride and joy, dancing, playing, laughing, and creating memories with her nieces and nephew that will live on in stories and smiles.

Ashley Elizabeth Brugh lived brightly, loved boldly, and left this world undeniably better than she found it. Though her time here was far too brief, her compassion, humor, and radiant spirit will continue to ripple outward through the lives of all who knew her – and through those who were loved by her, especially when they needed it most.