E. Jean Akers Obituary (1932 - 2024)

E. Jean Akers, 92, of Elkhart, passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Lincoln Memorial Hospital. Jean was born April 4, 1932, in Pittsfield, IL, the daughter of the late George and Thelma (Willard) Saylor. She married Morris Akers on November 20, 1964, in Peoria, IL. Jean graduated from Gem City Business College in Quincy, IL. She worked as a legal secretary for many years. In addition, she worked at Lincoln College as faculty secretary and retired as County Coordinator for the Logan County JTPA. She served on the Board of Directors for the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce and the Logan County Private Industry Council. Jean was also a member of Jefferson Street Christian Church. Jean’s hands were rarely still; she was an avid bowler, quilter, gardener, and bridge player. Above all else her favorite hobby was fishing. Jean was a master baker in the kitchen. Her talent for making the best pies (everyone that has tasted her apple pie will agree) and her cookies. Jean’s homemade candies were incredible as well. The holidays were made sweet with her amazing sweets. Her words of encouragement, wisdom, and comfort kept her family in line, taught them morals, and gave them something to pass on to their children. Jean will be extremely missed and survived by her children, Diane (Terry) Polk, Gary Gray, Jay (Lisa) Akers, Todd (Ronda) Akers; stepchildren, Sheryl (Don) Maher. Teri (Dale) Renne; her seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; eight step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Jean was the last of her immediate family and was preceded in death by her husband, Morris; their beloved pet, Lucy; her brothers, George, Alvin, and Don Saylor; and her sisters, Dorothy Kriegshauser and June Yellett; and her daughter in-law; Diana Gray. A private family graveside service for Jean will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Ava, IL, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Logan County. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln.