PEORIA, Ill. - Steve "Ash" Aeschleman, who had volunteered as Bradley Baseball's public address announcer for two decades, died Sunday morning at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, three days after falling ill while working on the Sports Desk at the Peoria Journal Star.

Aeschleman, 56, began volunteering at Bradley Basketball games in the mid-1980's and became the regular public address announcer for Braves games during the 1990 season.  A 1971 graduate of Illinois Valley Central High School in nearby Chillicothe, Ash also handled public address duties for IVC sporting events and had served as the boys basketball scorekeeper.

"Ash is a Bradley Baseball institution and he absolutely loved being at the ballpark," said Bradley Associate Athletic Director Bobby Parker.  "He was a truly genuine man and found great joy in his volunteer activities."

Since the early 1990's, Aeschleman worked part-time in the Peoria Journal Star sports department, primarily pursuing high school scoring summaries for the 60-plus high schools in the JS circulation area.

Aeschleman is survived by his mother, Laverne.  Funeral services are pending and Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe is in charge of arrangements.