Ronald Dean Akre

NILES — Ronald Dean Akre, 88, passed away peacefully at 5:42pm Friday December 13, 2019 at his son's home in Niles, MI. He had lived the last five months at St. Paul's Sanctuary in South Bend.Ron was born on April 7, 1931 in Spring Grove, MN to the late Walter and Jenny Lynn (Fry) Smirl. He was married to the love of his life Elizabeth Rosemary (Stortz) Akre on October 6, 1956 in Waukon, IA. She passed away on October 14, 2007. He had worked as a farmer and an insurance agent.He is survived by his children: Mari Akre, Paul (Marie) Akre, James (Sheri) Akre, David (Martha) Akre, Margaret (Noel) Monhardt, Thomas (Mary) Akre, Lynn (Charles) Pierce and Greg (Ann). Also surviving are 26 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.An extremely talented man of Norwegian heritage, Ron was a master carpenter, and did fine wood carvings. He was known fondly by his family and friends as a talker and storyteller. A good Catholic man, he was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and was a daily communicant. He served in the US Army during the Korean War and there will be a Military Honors service following mass on Wednesday.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Mr. Akre at 11:00am Wednesday preceded by a praying of the Holy Rosary at 9:30am and visitation will begin at 10:00am until the start of mass, all at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Fir Rd. and SR 23, Granger, IN, Msgr. William Schooler, Pastor, officiating. After cremation at McGann Hay's, American Cremation Society, his remains will be buried with his wife in his hometown of Decorah, Iowa. McGann Hay Funerals | Cremations | Gatherings, Granger Chapel assisted the family.Memorial Donations maybe made in his memory to the Knights of Columbus.