Wayne E. Akker, 91, of Resthave Care & Rehabilitation in Morrison, IL, passed away Monday, April 19, 2021, at Rock River Hospice and Home in Sterling, IL.
Wayne was born September 30, 1929, in Morrison, to Cornelius and Ruvine (Brackemyer) Akker. He was a 1947 graduate of Morrison High School. Wayne served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict as a Radio Operator with the Military Police Corps. He was able to attend the 27th trip with Honor Flight of the Quad Cities. On February 15, 1955, he married Gertie I. VanderPloeg at Ebenezer Reformed Church in Morrison. She died on April 1, 2001. After the service, Wayne and his brother-in-law, Bill Sykes, started the home building company of Sykes and Akker Construction. Later, after Bill moved to Wisconsin, Wayne continued the business as S & A Construction until retiring. He was a lifelong member of Ebenezer Reformed Church and cherished going to the Father and Son Banquets with his family. He was a member of the NRA and liked hunting and fishing. Wayne enjoyed square dancing with his wife, Gertie, and he took her on many trips he earned selling homes through Homeway Homes. He bowled for years, liked to read, and was an avid Bears fan. Wayne inherited the joy of gardening from helping his dad at their greenhouse when he was younger. In his later years Wayne went walking and for coffee every morning at Emmanuel Reformed Church.
Survivors include daughters, Penny (John) Dyke of Morrison and Melody (Tim Hartman) Hartson of Argo Fay, IL; sons, Gerry (Shari) Akker of Morrison and Steve (Lynn) Akker of Mt. Morris, IL; four grandchildren, Shanna (Dennis) Welch, Luke Akker, Jason and Andrew Akker; four great-grandchildren, Tyvan Hartson, London Hasenmiller, Zachary and Zoey Akker; sister, Virginia (Wayne) Carrol-Williams of Las Vegas, NV; brother, Dr. Lee Akker of Idaho.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Gertie; sisters, Thelma Mae Rick, Ruth Sykes, and Alice Bolluyt; brothers, Rev. Dale Akker and one in infancy.
Cremation rites have been accorded.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Interment will be in the Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL.
The Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
A memorial to Rock River Hospice and Home has been established.