Eleanor June Miller Akers
On January 19, 2014, devoted wife, mother, and daughter Eleanor June Akers died in her home comforted by family and friends. Born July 15, 1939 in New Albany, IN, June was a 1957 Graduate of Honey Creek High School and held a Masters Degree in Art Education from Indiana State University. June was an art teacher for 23 years in the Vigo County School Corporation and taught at Honey Creek Jr. High School, Woodrow Wilson Jr. High School and Chauncey Rose Jr. High School. She was a member of the National Teachers Association, Indiana State Teachers Association, Indiana State Teachers Association Retired, Vigo County Teachers Association, and the Indiana Art Teachers Association.
June’s foundation in faith was strengthened by her commitment as a life member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. June was a devoted member of the Church Prayer Circle, the Alter Guild, Garden Guild and of the Guild of the Christ Child. June also enjoyed horticulture, nature, and wildlife, and was an avid supporter of the Sierra Club, National Wildlife Foundation, the Audubon Society, and the Honey Creek Garden Club. She was also a former member of local Monday and Wednesday Bridge groups and was an active member of the Honey Creek High School Class of 1957 Alumni chapter.
She is survived by her daughter Angela J. Akers-Kiste and husband Tim of Reelsville; grandchildren Tori Lynn, Kaitlyn Elizabeth, and Dakota Alexander Kiste of Reelsville; brother David Wayne Nearpass and wife Debbie of Terre Haute; niece Keely Anne Nearpass of Vernon, CT; nephew Michael David Nearpass of Chicago, IL; sister Roxanne Lake and husband Jim of Terre Haute; half-sisters Marlow Emmert and husband Don, and Anavelle Eschman and husband Terry, all of New Albany; special cousins Suzanne (Tucker) Blunk of Salisbury, NC, Joey Tucker and wife Betty Jo of Floyd Knobs, D.W. McKelvey Jr. and wife Pat of Lexington, KY, and Elaine Nilson Miller of Sun City West, AZ.
She was preceded in death by her husband James H. Akers; parents H.T. Miller Sr. and Eleanor Martha (Tucker) Miller Nearpass; step-father Wayne Devere Nearpass; brother H.T. Miller Jr.; grandparents Samuel Reynolds Tucker Sr. and Lena Martha (Furniss) Tucker; uncles and aunts Dr. Harry Hawkins Sr. and wife Amney Caroline (Tucker) Hawkins, Dr. D.W. McKelvey Sr. and wife Josephine Augusta (Tucker) McKelvey; and cousins Samuel Reynolds Tucker Jr. and wife Magdeline Tucker, and Harry Samuel Hawkins Jr..
Funeral services are 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church with the Rev. Mary Slenski officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the DeBaun Springhill Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at St. Stephen’s. Memorial contributions may be made to the Historic Building Fund of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 215 N. Seventh St., Terre Haute, IN 47807.