AKES, John Lester

SMITH, AKES, REYNOLDS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 10/27/2014 at 03:54:09

Obituary ~ John Lester Akes
June 29, 1893 ~ March 31, 1973

Leon Journal-Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa

John L. Akes, Billings, Mo., son of Henry G. and Hester Ann (Smith) Akes was born near Leon, Decatur County, Iowa June 29, 1893 and died March 31,1973, age 79 years, 9 months. He attended Union Ridge school then two years at Decatur High, after which he was engaged in farming until his entrance into the Armed Forces in 1917 where he served honor ably in the 26th Division overseas until his discharge in April 1919. He became a member of the American Legion soon after its inception and was a charter member of the Creston Post of VFW

He was united in marriage to Irene C. Reynolds, October 19, 1917, who with two brothers, C. L., Freewater, OR; Bryan W., Cheyenne, WY; and one sister, Mrs. J. J.(Chloie) Smith, Salem, OR survive. His parents five brothers and one sister preceded him in death.

Because of his military experience and character he was commissioned a United States Marshal during the Railroad Strike of 1922. After this, he became a machinist for the Burlington Railroad at Creston, Iowa for 16 years, then machinist 1st class at Rock Island Arsenal, also for 16 year until a heart and lung condition forced his disability retirement in 1954. For the past eight years, he was an invalid cared for in his home.

April 1924, he was received into the Catholic Church, receiving the last rites at St. John's Hospital, Springfield, MO. Rosary services were conducted by Father Jerry Eschbacher, Billings, MO, April 1, 1973 with Funeral Mass at Leon, Iowa April 3, Monsignor Paul Connelly, celebrant. Burial was in the Leon Cemetery.

NOTE: While serving in World War I, John was involved in a poison gas attack and suffered from this disabilitythe rest of his life.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2014