Melvin Franklin Akers June 20, 1917 – October 5, 2010

  Melvin Franklin Akers, age 93, formerly of Benton, Iowa, passed away at Parkview Medical Center, Pueblo, Colorado on October 5, 2010. Melvin had lived in Pueblo, Colorado for nearly 40 years but resided at Fowler Care Center, Fowler, Colorado for the past two years.

Melvin was born June 20, 1917 in Taylor county, Iowa, the son of Chester Arthur and Eva Mae (Kirby) Akers. Melvin graduated from Gravity high school and spent his early life in Taylor county, Iowa. He married Lucille Ruby on December 10, 1938 in Maryville, Missouri. Three sons were born to this union.

After their marriage he and Lucille began married life in the Gravity, Iowa area and then moved to the Diagonal and Lenox communities, before moving in 1947 to a farm near Benton, Iowa. In 1967 they sold the farm there and moved to Pueblo, Colorado where Melvin worked for the Colorado State Hospital. After retirement he and Lucille had time to enjoy camping and spending time with their grandchildren and enjoyed having relatives and friends visit them.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Lucille; one son, Duane Eugene, in infancy; two brothers, Harold and Marvin; one daughter-in-law, Choncie Akers; two brothers-in-law, and two sisters in law.

Surviving are sons, Chester Ray (Sandra) Akers of  Pueblo, Colorado and  Richard Akers of Pomona, Missouri; sisters, Mildred Hummel of  Lakeland, Florida and Arlene Lewis of Clarinda, Iowa; three granddaughters, Kristy Postlewaite of Wabasha, Minnesota, Donna (Ed) Baker of Pueblo, Colorado and Sonya Turner of Missouri; five grandsons, Duane (Nancy) Akers of Phoenix, Arizona and Barry (Vileta) Akers, Kenny (Jeanene) Akers, Brian Akers and Eric (Jenny) Akers, all of Glenwood, Iowa; several great-grandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial to the American Cancer Society in Melvin’s name or a charity of the donor’s choice. Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.

Services were conducted at the Washington Cemetery in Gravity Monday, October 11, 2010, with Elders Verlin and Mary Akers officiating.

Casket bearers were Barry Akers, Kenny Akers, Brian Akers, Eric Akers, Zackery Akers and Ron Carter.