Ashton O’Banion had a passion for adventure and exploration

Ashton Cole O’Banion was a friendly, outgoing boy who made friends easily and brought kids together. He was an eighth- grade student at Roscoe Middle School.

Ashton was born January 9, 2011, in Madison, Wisconsin, to parents Matthew and Jennifer O’Banion. He was the big brother to his younger sisters, Piper and Marin.

Ashton loved his Golden Retriever, Luna, who excitedly greeted him every day when he came home from school.

Ashton died on January 12, 2025. He became ill while on a cruise with his family. He was flown from the Dominican Republic to the University of Wisconsin where he passed away. When Ashton was three years old, the O’Banion family moved to San Diego, CA. Seven years later, the family returned to the Midwest to be closer to extended family. They settled in Roscoe, Illinois.

Ashton loved to explore new places. He had a great passion for travel. He and his family visited five different countries and 22 different states. Since moving back to the Midwest, he enjoyed spending time at his grandparent’s cabin in northern Wisconsin where he enjoyed trap shooting, kayaking, swimming, listening to music. He loved playing soccer, camping with friends and building Legos.

Ashton played the trombone in both the RMS band and jazz band. He was a member of the student council and was on the honor roll.

Ashton was certified in first aid and CPR. During the summers Ashton enjoyed attending various summer camps including Beloit College sports camp, YMCA leadership camp, UW-Madison pre-college camp for neurology, and Farm Camp at Farmers Rising (formerly the Angelic Organic Learning Center). Ashton loved animals and looked forward to caring for them at Farm Camp. From age five to 14, he spent time researching various interests including ant farms, hamsters, dogs, tarantulas, Legos, airsoft fields and gear, World War II, and learning about the medical field.

He loved shoes, especially Nike shoes, of which he had a large collection. Ashton lived a full and perfect 14 years of life and will live on, saving others with his gift of organ donations. His family says that. Ashton was an amazing son, grandson and brother. "Thank you, Ashton. We love you and we will see you again." Ashton is survived by his parents, Jennifer and Matthew O’Banion; his younger sisters, Piper and Marin; his golden retriever, Luna; his maternal grandparents: Sally (Bill) Greer and Rodney Magnuson; his paternal grandmother, Patricia O’Banion; aunt and uncles: Pam (Shawn) Welte, Jeff (Tracy) Magnuson and Ryan (Angela) Greer; and numerous extended family members and good friends.

He is preceded in death by his maternal and paternal great grandparents, his dog Zoe, his hamster Marshmallow and numerous fish.

The family would like to thank all those who contributed to Ashton’s GoFundMe Account. A gathering of friends and family will be held Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at the Roscoe Township Community Center, 4562 Hononegah Road, Roscoe, Illinois.

Guests attending the Celebration of Life are encouraged to wear their Nikes and/or the color blue. Funeral arrangements were made through Schneider Funeral Directors, Janesville, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the O’Banion family for a charity to be determined at a later time.