Artie Akers

Artie Gene Akers, age 66 of Lawrenceville, passed away on Monday March 9th at Carle Hospital in Champaign.

Born July 22, 1953 in Lawrenceville, he was the son of Richard and Eloise (Judy) Akers. He married Peggy Wilson on October 27, 1972 in Lawrenceville and she survives.

Prior to retirement, Artie owned and operated The Rookie Shop in Salem and Robinson, also having locations in Lawrenceville, Flora, and Mt Vernon in previous years. His love for sports continued at the coaching level as well, coaching basketball for Selmaville Jr. High School in Salem and later on assistant coaching at Palestine High School and Lawrenceville High School, giving him over 30 years of coaching before retiring. He was a member of the Pinkstaff United Methodist Church.

Survivors besides his wife include his daughter April (Greg) Ritter of Iuka, IL and

his son Dustin (Ann) Akers of Aurora, two grandchildren: Allison Jo Ritter of Iuka, IL and Luke Dustin Akers of Aurora, IL mother Eloise Akers of Bridgeport, IL brother Jim (Anita) Akers of Lawrenceville, IL and sister Judy (Terry) Clark of Flat Rock, IL mother in law Mary Wilson of Lawrenceville, IL and sisters in law Linda Fisher, Judy (Randy) Hutchison, and Jill Deckard all of Lawrenceville, IL as well as several nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his father Richard Akers, his grandmother Virginia Akers, his father in law Wilmer Wilson, sister in law Deana Akers, and brother in law Darrell Fisher 

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday March 14th at 11:00 am at Emmons Macey Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville. A visitation will be held on Friday March 13th from 5-8pm. at the funeral home

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be made in Artie’s honor to the Pinkstaff United Methodist Church with envelopes available at the funeral home. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.