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Celebration of Life: 11 a.m. Thursday, January 10, 2019, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Interment: Odd Fellows Cemetery, Xenia
John Robert Akes, age 66, of Xenia, Illinois, passed away Saturday evening, January 5, 2019, at his home.
He was born November 29, 1952, in Clay County, the son of Burl Robert and Hazel Eleanor (Frye) Akes. John married Tammy Eckelberry on February 22, 1984, in Clay County.
Everyone who knew John has memories of his terrific sense of humor and good times spent visiting and laughing with him. He was a 1970 graduate of Flora High School, and had worked at Holland Truck Stop, on a horse farm in Florida, as well as Clay County Industries and Wal-Mart. For years he and family would go to a campsite on Trago Lake that he put a cabin on, and where he liked to fish and relax in the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting and taking care of his dogs over the years, and would cultivate a garden every summer with the hopes of a flourishing crop of vegetables, especially big tomatoes and peppers. John spent a lot of time in his workshop crafting woodworking ideas into reality and was often able to see the possibilities to turn a discarded object into a neat creation. Music was an important part of John’s life since childhood, and he played a variety of instruments including guitar and bass guitar, harmonica, mandolin, keyboard, and even dusted off an old accordion once and a while. He was a founding member and first Commander of the Flora Sons of the American Legion, and he and Tammy have been part of “Santa’s Smiles” in Clay county to help many kids and families have a brighter Christmas. John had a soft heart for pets, and he and Tammy opened their home to the Clay County Animal & Rescue foster program for dogs. An avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, he also loved watching football. He had been a past member of the Eagles, Moose, and Odd Fellows.
John is survived by his wife: Tammy Akes of Xenia; 6 children: Danny L. Easley of Salem, Daniel W. Akes of Florida, Jason S. Akes of New Bern, North Carolina, Krystal D. Akes of High Springs, Florida, Shane M. Akes of Branford, Florida, and Jason L. Eckelberry of Terre Haute, Indiana; 17 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; a sister: Betty Jean Brasfield of Alamogordo, New Mexico; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and several aunts and uncles.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be 11 a.m. Thursday, January 10, 2019, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Xenia. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial donations in John’s memory are preferred, and are suggested to CCARS (Clay County Animal Rescue & Shelter) or Clay County Cancer Crusaders. To share a condolence or memory, visit www.frankandbright.com.
Jul 21, 1931 - Nov 18, 2024
Nov 15, 1940 - Nov 9, 2024
Sep 5, 1961 - Oct 31, 2024
Nov 14, 1941 - Oct 30, 2024
Nov 28, 1936 - Oct 29, 2024
Tammy and Family: We are so very sorry for your loss. John fought long and hard and now he is at peace and no longer in pain. He will be missed by all who knew him. I know that he and Bill are now catching up and swapping jokes. Please know that y’all are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. God bless you. RIP my old friend, John❣️
Prayers & condolences for the family and God's Speed to my friend.
He will be missed. He was always there with a joke, a laugh, or just encouragement. I am so sorry for your loss Tammy and the rest of the family. Rest in peace. John.
We are so sorry for your loss. Xenia and the community have lost another wonderful man.
So sorry for your loss John was a great guy.
God bless you in a mighty way
So sorry for your loss
Prayers and hugs to you Tammy.
Goodbye my friend of years.
Tammy and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.
So sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear of Johns passing I will always remember him from dukes and the way he could make everybody laugh praying for the family
Sorry for your loss Tammy and family.
So sorry Tammy...my thoughts and prayers are with you..
Sadly missed by MWA.
Tammy I am so sorry.
So very sorry for your loss. Prayer of condolence and comfort.
Thoughts and prayers! Rest In Peace my friend! Prayers for comfort for his family and friends!
Tammy so sorry for your loss. John was a good Christian and was lucky to have someone as nice as you.
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Without John in my life, there are many things I would have missed, many things I would not have learned, and I would not have become the person I became. Being John's cousin was way too much fun. We are left with wonderful memories to cherish and keep. John was a part of my family, a family that has a love not always apparent to outsiders, but it is a love that binds strong and deep, and keeps John with us always. Woody Allen said "I'm not afraid of death; I just don't want to be there when it happens." It would be just like John to have slipped out at the last minute, just before Death came. Live on, John.
We've lost a bright light in this world, but John I am thankful that you are no longer hurting. I only knew you in my childhood years, and never had a chance to see you once we were all grown up. But I remembered you always - you had the best of the Akes spirit in you, humor and kindness and teasing in your eyes that also reminded me of your mom. You made the kind of impression on me that lasted for a lifetime in my heart, and I'm so blessed that we were and are family. Tammy, I know you are hurting but please know you are not alone and John will live on in so very many of the hearts that he touched over a lifetime. With sadness and love, Terry (John's cousin, his Uncle Charlie's daughter)
So sorry for your loss
Tammy so sorry to hear of John's passing. I pray God gives you peace and comfort and May you reflect on memories to bring you through the days ahead! Shelly & John
So sorry for your loss. John was always joking and teasing even as a kid. He was responsible for my fear of snakes. During a "paperdrive" for Modern Woodmen, my best friend and I were on the back of a truck and John wanted to tell me something, little did I know he had a snake behind his back and when he leaned into whisper his secret, put the snake down my shirt! Godspeed John, you are now painfree. Prayers of comfort and peace for all your family.
So sorry for your loss. He was such a kind man.
Sorry for you loss.Prayers for the family.
My heart is heavy as im sure your family is also.but john is at peace..an i hope you are also..he is no longer in pain .we hurt because we lost someone we love an care about,john was a brother an good friend .we injoyed lots of stuff..playing music, drink n a beer ,go n for rides.fishing.looking at wood working , antiques he was re do n..he is with all my brothers an loved ones that i have lost.he will never b 4 gotten ..but he will damm sure be misst..sorry 4 you all,s loss..
So so sorry for your loss. My prayers for peace and comfort.
John was was good friend back in the day. Sorry for the loss.
Sorry for your loss n prayers
I'm so sorry Aunt Tammy. My heart and prayers are with you. My deepest condolences. I love you
He was such a sweet man he going to missed that for sure prayers for Tammy and all his family
Tammy you are in our prayers. John was a wonderful man. Heaven gained a beautiful Angel.
Sorry for your loss I knew John a long time he'd always be there when you need to bring blessings on your family
Sorry for your loss. Live, Hugs ,& prayers
Tammy and Jason I'm so sorry for your loss. I know you're both hurting more than words can even describe right now I wish I could take that pain away but I can't. I'm here if you want someone to talk to. I love you both very much.
So very sorry. I'm glad I spent time with u all Friday.. and joked with me. .. God he as a good. Man with him John has no pain now and is wood working and fishing. In heaven ... Bless u all. Tammy I'm here any time love to all
John was a good man with a big heart he will be missed. Prayers to you Tammy and Family.
I'm sorry for your loss prayers to your family
John was one of a kind.I have known him all my life will miss ya
John was definitely an high spirited big hearted person. May you be at peace now with no more pain. I am sure there is a shindig in heaven with all the rest who have passed before him. Tammy my heart aches for you because of what you have endured...please know that john will never be forgotten and we love you
To the family of John Akes, I am so terribly sorry for the passing of your beloved husband, father, grandfather; John. He was a one of a kind great guy.
Going to miss him he was a great guy,he and dad were best friends so sorry Tammy, love you..
Such a loss! John was a friend when I was in high school. He often brought his guitar and played while all of us sat on the Wall. May you going some comfort in all the stories about him as people remember his friendship. I am sure he is missed.
Sorry for your loss
So very sorry for your loss. Our condolences. We will have you and your family in our prayers. Love you all.
So sorry for your loss. Know your all in our prayers.
Tammy, I am so sorry.
So sorry for your loss krystal danny and jason the oss of a daddy is really hard remember that God must have been ready for him to add to his beautiful garden and he's helping to keep you a beautiful place next to him some day He is resting in The Lords arms with no more painmiss you Aunt Mary Ritchey
I'm so sorry Tammy for your loss. John was a sweet guy and I know he loved you dearly.
We're sorry for your family's loss! John, it's been good being one of your friends from the old High School days! Looking back, it seems like time has passed so quickly! Class of '70,,, I think of many classes mates like family & you are definitely one of them! You'll always be in all our hearts! Rest In Peace old friend!
I remember John as the easy going guy with wavy hair, a smile, and with humor. I did not see John after high school. It is obvious that he touched many lives in a very good way. Enjoy your new life, John.
So very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers with you all.
Our love and prayer's for Tammy and the family. John was decent, kind, talented and loved his family so much.
Sending Tammy and family our deepest sympathy. We are forever grateful to John and Tammy for fostering our canine daughter, Annie, before we adopted her! God bless John for his love of animals!
Will always remember fond memories of you and our youth and hope to meet you again in heaven! Rest In Peace!
We are so sorry Tammy and family about John's passing. He is playing music with God's heavenly musicians. He was always smiling and telling a joke to bring smiles and laughter to others. He was a great Santa. We are in Alabama or we would be at his service. Prayers are with you and family.
Sorry for your loss he was a great man
Condolences to the Akes family. Johnny will likely be spending time with Uncle Munson at some heavenly fishing hole. RIP cousin.
Tammy & family my heart hurts so much about John’s passing. I know he fought long and hard. John’s wit & sense of humor was the absolute best! Tammy I know you gave up a LOT of your time while John was ill to continue volunteering with Santa smiles to ensure several families had a good Christmas—you are a true angel! I know John wouldn’t have had it any other way. Both of you are the most selfless people I ever met! I know John has received his mighty reward in Heaven and has heard Jesus say “job well done my good and faithful servant” Sending many prayers and lots of love! ❤️
We will never forget you. May God give him eternal rest.
Sorry to hear about John's passing!
We are sorry for your lose. John was a good friend to my brother Rick. I went school with John and he was a good friend to my brother Rick. May God bless you especially in your great lose. Preston
Tammy, we are so saddened to hear of John's passing. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. He fought a long hard battle with you right beside him. May you find comfort in the good times and memories you shared. Love and blesssings to you as you continue your journey.
To John's family, A great man has truly passed on. May he be in the loving hands of our Lord and Savior. My deepest condolences to the family. John was a friend of mine through my brother Bobby. I had not saw John since high school and was sorry to hear that he had passed.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
