AKERS

CENTRAL ILLINOIS OBITUARIES


AKERS, STEPHEN EDWARD

Roodhouse Record, October 16, 1924 P6 C4

OBITUARY OF S. E. AKERS

Stephen Edward Akers, son of Thomas and Mary Armstrong Akers, was born at the old Akers homestead two miles west of Manchester, on Feb. 16, 1842, and died at his home one and a half miles west of Manchester, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 1924, aged 82 years, 7 months and 23 days. His death resulted from paralysis with which he was stricken a few weeks before.

He was united in marriage to Maria Curtis, Nov. 21, 1867, who preceded him in death in June 1910. To this union were born five children, viz: Ruth, wife of Fred Spencer of Ganado, Texas, who departed this life in Sept. 1921; John C. Akers of Manchester; Robert G. Akers of Riverton, Neb.; Josephine, wife of Oscar Boston, living at the old home, and one child dying in infancy.

Mr. Akers was of a family of twelve children of whom two brothers and one sister survive who are: Joseph Akers of Barrow, Thomas G. Akers of Oakland, California, and Marietta, wife of Robert Cooper of Roodhouse. Those preceding him in death were four sisters: Tabitha, wife of W. S. Clark; Elizabeth, wife of W. H. Thompson, Niantic, Illinois; Martha Jane, Nancy, wife of J. I. Moore, and four children who died in infancy.

There are also surviving him, twelve grandchildren.

Mr. Akers was converted under the evangelism of Elder Jermain and united with the Manchester Christian Church in 1869. For fifty-five years he has lived a consistent Christian life.

He was a kind husband, an indulgent father, a good neighbor, charitable and sympathetic to all with whom he came in contact. No one in real distress was ever turned away from his home empty-handed.

Mr. Akers will be greatly missed by all who knew him, for he was a man true to his community, true to his family, true to his church and his God.

His daughter, Mrs. Josephine Boston with whom he passed his declining years, was his ministering angel and with a daughter's devotion attended to his every need and want.

One son, Robert G. was unable to be present at the funeral service, but has the consolation of having visited with and been his almost constant companion the week before his father was stricken.

Mr. Akers was also a member of Manchester Lodge 229 A. F. & A. M., and lived the exemplary life of a just and upright Mason, but has now passed through the ordeal that sooner or later must come to all of us, and which neither power not rank wealth nor honor, or the tears of friends and kindred can avert, and we trust that our loss is his eternal gain.

Funeral services were conducted at Manchester Saturday, in charge of Rev. M. L. Pontius, pastor of Central Christian Church of Jacksonville. Interment was in Manchester cemetery, the services at the grave being under auspices of the Masonic Order.

Music was furnished by Mrs. J. C. Andras, Mrs. George Lashmet, M. W. Story, with Mrs. E. H. Rousey at the piano. The flowers were cared for my Mrs. Otis Cooper, Mrs. Clyde Chapman, Mrs. Charles Emert, Mrs. Mildred Hayes, and the Misses Leta Howard and Mabel Garvin. The pall bearer were C. D. Chapman, C. S. Heaton, L. C. Funk, Charles Thady, J. M. McCarty and Charles McCracken.

Among those attending from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hayes and daughter Mildred, Girard; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Groves, Edwardsville; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Horton, Virden, and Robert Akers, Normal.

Submitted by: Cheryl Behrend
AKERS, JOHN CURTIS

The Roodhouse Record, Thursday, April 6, 1933 P 2 C5

Obituary

John C. Akers

John Curtis Akers, was born April 5, 1877, near Manchester, Ill. grew to manhood and spent practically all his life in the vicinity of his birth. He was the son of Stephen E. and Mariah Akers and was one of a family of four children, consisting of himself, a sister, Ruth, deceased, wife of Fred Spencer of Texas, Robert G. a brother, of Riverton, Nebraska, and Josephine, a sister, deceased wife of Oscar Boston of Manchester, Ill.

On February 3, 1904 he and Emma Jane Rea were united in marriage. Three children, sons. have pleased this union, viz: Ralph of Cleveland, Ohio and Edward and Ardwin, both at home.

He has always followed the noble calling of farming and was a successful workman of that vocation.

He was always interested in the welfare of his neighbors and friends, and his community and the public schools, and was repeatedly pressed into service as a member of the board of directors in the communities where he has lived.

He was a member of the M. E. Church of Roodhouse, Ill., and by his life's works proved his faith therein.

He was a member of Manchester Lodge No. 229 A. F. & A. M., Manchester, Ill., and by the plumb-line of justice ever walked uprightly before God and man, squaring his actions by the square of virtue, ever remembering he was traveling upon that level of time to the undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns.

He loved his family, his church, his lodge, his neighbors and his friends. He possessed that beautiful gift so difficult of acquisition, of never letting the trivial faults or mistakes of his friends obscure their many good qualities. In conversation he never dwelt upon these adverse qualities, but spoke good and did good unto all.

For many years he had been suffering from the malady which about a year ago became acute in nature, and which has kept him since that time in such weakened condition that, although he was able through sheer determination of will to be about most of the time, yet he was unable to attend the regular duties of his farm work. Through all this suffering he has remained most patient and was ever cheerful. About two weeks ago he determined to go to St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis for examination and treatment. Upon being offered but slight hopes there for recovery he requested that he be brought home, as he stated "that I may die among my good friends." The end peacefully came about five o'clock Tuesday, March 28, 1933, at his farm home north of Roodhouse and among his family and friends as requested.

He leaves cherishing his memory his wife Jennie Akers, three sons, Ralph, Edward and Ardwin, one brother Robert, many nieces and nephews among whom is a niece Mrs. Mary Ina Brown who made her home with the Akers family for many years, also many relatives and hosts of sorrowing friends.

Many attended the final rites which were held in the Methodist Church at Roodhouse Thursday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, Rev. C. L. Leitze of Manchester officiating, assisted by Rev. Milton Wilson, the local pastor. The services were in charge of the Masonic brothers from Manchester and Roodhouse Lodges.

Music was furnished by a quartet from Roodhouse composed of C. C. VanDoren, Mrs. S. L. Smith, Mrs. O. L. Edwards and C. S. Savage, with Mrs. Walter Ricks at the organ.

The casket bearers were Harry Smith , James Doyel and Archie Clark of Roodhouse, C. S. Heaton, H. A. Langdon and J. E. Osborne of Manchester.

The flowers were cared for by Misses Alice McCain, Mary Olive Brown, Margaret Boston, Mrs. C. L. Leitze, Mrs. Emma Chapman, Mrs. Denzil McLamar, Mrs. James Doyel and Mrs. Clarence Taylor.

Interment was in Manchester Cemetery.

Card of Thanks
As it will not be possible for us to see and personally express our appreciation to each and all of the hosts of friends, who through their sympathy and service so greatly aided us in our recent sorrow, we take this means of extending to them our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for those deeds of love and kindness so beautifully rendered.
Mrs. Jennie Akers and sons
Ralph, Edward and Ardwin.

Submitted by: Cheryl Behrend
Obit Index

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