Rev. Marion Wesley Akers

AKERS, STAUFFER, OSBORN, ALDEN, BLACKBURN, REPOGLE, HARDING, DODGE, JONES, KNITTLE, LONG, PANCAKE, RUBY, CONOWAY, DETWILER, DANCEY, SUTTON

Posted By: Donald Detwiler (email)
Date: 2/12/2002 at 08:54:10

A Minister for 60 years

Funeral services held for Rev. M. W. Akers

Funeral services for Rev. M. W. Akers were conducted from the First Baptist church at four o’clock Sunday afternoon by the pastor Rev. Edward C. Stauffer.

Prayer was offered by Rev. F. B. Osborn of New Market who for many years has been a close friend and brother in the ministery. A quartet composed of Miss Blanche Alden, and Miss Jeannie Blackburn, G.M. Repogle and J.D. Harding sang the two songs selected by the family, with Miss Norma Dodge accompanying at the organ. Pallbearers were: Harry Jones, Will Knittle, Lewis Long, Fred Knittle, W. B. Pancake, and Grant Ruby. Following the service the funeral party left via the Burlington railroad for Washington, Ia. where they were met by other members of the family and the body of Mr. Akers laid to rest in the Washington cemetery.

Elder Marion Wesley Akers was born near Trenton, Mo., July 29, 1849. His father, Spencer C. Akers, brought him to Decatur Co., Iowa, Sept. 3, 1851. In March 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss Elvira Amelia Conoway. This union was blessed with one child, a son, D. C. Akers of Lewiston, Idaho. The death angel claimed his first wife June 21, 1875. Oct. 1st, 1876, he married Miss Harriet E. Detwiler of Bonaparte. This union lasted nearly forty years. she died in Chicago, March 1915. To this union were born four children, M. Frank Akers of Lewiston, Idaho; Mrs. Rev. J. S. Dancey, Canton, Ohio, Dwight L. Akers of Blooming Grove, New York. One son died in infancy.

Dec. 29, 1917 he was married to Miss Phoebe Sutton, who has tenderly and faithfully cared for him in sickness and health, during these last years of his earthly life.

Brother Akers was born of God from above the spiritual birth June 10,1867. He began preaching June 17th, just one week after his conversion. He organized the Palestine church between Leon and Decatur City in 1867. Here he was ordained to the Gospel ministry June 17, 1868. For almost sixty years, he faithfully preached the Word. A great many souls found the was as directed by our brother. He has held pastorates at Allerton and Bonaparte and Manchester, Ia. Veneta in Indian Territory Oklahoma, Utica and Ottawa, Ill; Ottawa and Burlingame, Kansas, besides other places of service. He has said , “In deed I am a sinner saved by grace.” He was a member of the local Baptist church.

The last several years of his life have been spend in Shenandoah, where he has worshipped, and given faithful service and wise counsel. Truly such a life is a benediction to us all.