Akerson, John W., 83, June 28, 2015. Interment held in the New Sweden Cemetery. Arrangements by Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou.
CARIBOU – John William Akerson, 83, passed away peacefully with family at his side on June 28, 2015, at Caribou. He was born and raised in Perham, and attended school in Perham. John didn’t finish high school before he went to work full-time at the family farm where his education continued with lessons of hard work and responsibility.
John was always his own boss and his career took him from farmer to woodsman to landlord. He was a wonderful father who, along with his first wife, Corilie, (Jandreau) Akerson, raised seven children with principles, inner strength and deep faith and trying their best to be good parents and compassionate individuals. His grandchildren were one of the greatest joys of his life and they would look at him with the same love and adoration. He was so easy to adore and make you feel blessed to be part of his life. He has given his family the gifts of undying love and support for which they are most grateful. With his wife, Elaine, as his crutch, he found strength as his health failed and personal struggles grew. John was loved by those who were lucky enough to be part of his life. He was a kind man with a generous spirit and was never too busy to talk to anyone or provide sage advice. He would always encourage others to live a better life and truly left the world a better place then he found it. He was a man of strong faith and morale character with a quick wit, great sense of humor and was admired by many for his wisdom and advice. He enriched the lives of all who knew him and his best advice was always “Don’t forget to say your prayers.” He was a beloved husband to Elaine (Lafland).
John was welcomed to heaven by his late wife, Corilie. John was also predeceased by his brother, Galen Akerson; sister, Kathleen (Akerson) Gallagher; and parents, John O. and Mary Myrtle (Hughes) Akerson. He will be forever missed by his wife, Elaine; his siblings, Maxine (Akerson) Cote, Marilyn (Akerson) Olmstead, Natalie (Akerson) Riggs and Hugh Akerson and his wife, Norma; his children, Terry Akerson, Jeff Akerson and his wife, Ann, Kevin Akerson, Donna (Akerson) Green and her husband, John, Karen (Akerson) Crowley, Bonnie Akerson, and Julie (Akerson) Chicos and her husband, Ken; grandchildren, Janelle (Akerson) Hardy, Joshua Akerson, John Akerson, Emily Akerson, Kevin Crowley, Corilie Green, Owen Chicos and Wyatt Chicos; great-grandchildren, Lincoln and Liam Hardy; stepdaughter, Paula Valencourt and her children, Shauna and Jessica; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Friends called at the Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, July 3, 2015, from the Parish of the Precious Blood, Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Following the service, all were invited to a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at the parish center. Interment was in the New Sweden Cemetery. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Akerson may do so to the Caribou Nursing and Rehab Center Memorial fund.
