Mary E. Akers

Mary Elizabeth Akers age 91, died peacefully at her home in Boca Raton, Florida on August 14, 2018. She was born to Clarence F. and Catherine G. (Mulligan) Smith in Middletown, Ohio on November 4, 1926. Her grandparents were German (Smith’s) and Irish (Mulligan’s) immigrants. Her grandfather, John Mulligan, was a stone-cutter who immigrated in 1861, helped build the Miami-Erie Canal, settled in Middletown, Ohio in “Little Dublin” and cut the stones to build Holy Trinity Church. He was a member of the Middletown City Council when that group voted in 1893 to bring electricity to Middletown, enabling Calvin Verity to relocate his American Rolling Mill Co. (later called ARMCO / AK Steel) to the city.
The Mulligans were one of the founding families of Holy Trinity Parish.

Mary graduated from high school at age 16 and at age 19 earned her BA degree, majoring in Music and Voice, from Mt. Saint Joseph College, Phi Beta Kappa. She taught Music and Spanish at Trenton High School for several years, then worked as a bookkeeper/secretary for the Gardner Paper Company in Middletown.

She married her husband of 64 years, William C. (“Bill”) Akers, at Holy Trinity Church on August 27, 1949. In 1963 she co-founded Akers Packaging Service, Inc. with Betty Yelton, Chuck Rigg and husband Bill Akers where she was “gal Friday” in the office and Corporation Secretary-Treasurer.

She was active at St. Mary’s Church (Middletown) serving on the Parish Council and as the choir director for many years. Later she was a member of the Women’s Society at St. Ambrose Church, Deerfield Beach, Florida.

She and Bill had five children, 16 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Her family was the focus of her love and her life.

She and her husband, Bill, travelled extensively and took their family of 24 children and grand-children on trips to England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain, Portugal, the Baltics, China, Australia, New Zealand, Panama Canal, and the Caribbean.

In her advanced funeral directives, she wrote a letter to her family stating “Thank you, beautiful family for all that you have done for Dad and me. May God bless each and every one of you with Good Health and Much Happiness. I Love All of You So Very, Very Much. Mom-Grandma-Great-Grandma."

Mary is survived by her children Marilyn Akey (Mike), Chicago; Jim Akers (Jody), Middletown; Sarah Akers Fitzhugh (Grayson), Loveland; and Bill Akers (Debby), Middletown; 16 grandchildren, Chris Akers (Kara) Denver; Alexandra Ketner (John) Charlotte, NC; Scott Akers (Kristy) Arlington, VA; Andrew Akers (Dorie) Cincinnati; Keith Akers, New York City; Brady Akers (Ashley) Charleston, SC; Cole Akers, Middletown; Hayes Akers, Middletown; Baird Akers, Middletown;
Michael Shannon Akey (Peggy) Northbrook, IL; Molly Longo (Gary) Lockport, IL; Melissa Drayer (Alex) Corte Boulder, CO; Matt Akey (Lana) Fennville, MI; Emily Irish (Jonathan) Loveland; Courtney Hammock (Justin) Greensboro, NC; Palmer Dooley (Eric) Half Moon Bay, CA; and 27 great grand-children.

Mary is also survived by brother Thomas J. Smith, sisters Eileen Smith Gladman and Ruthann Rose Smith.

She is preceded in death by her son, Mark Anthony Akers, her husband, William C. (“Bill”) Akers, her parents Clarence F. and Catherine G. Smith and brother James F. Smith.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 17, 2018 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral home, 3805 Roosevelt Boulevard, Middletown, Ohio. A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at Holy Trinity Church, 201 Clark Street, Middletown, Ohio at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 18, 2018 with Fr. John Civille officiating. Following the Mass internment will be at Woodside Cemetery. A reception for family and friends will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Browns Run Country Club, 6855 Sloebig Road, Middletown, OH 45042 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

Memorial contributions can be sent to Holy Family Parish, 201 Clark Street, Middletown, OH 45042 or to the Middletown Community Foundation, 300 North Main Street, Middletown, OH 45042.