Margaret H. Akins, age 89, of South Wayne, died Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 at the Monroe Clinic Hospital surrounded by her family. Margaret was born at home in Wayne Township, Lafayette County, on Dec. 19, 1926, the daughter of Leo and Elsie (Taufmann) Tornow. She attended Blaisdell Country School and graduated from South Wayne High School in 1944. Margaret married Gerald L. Akins on June 8, 1947 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Wayne Township. Margaret’s passion was farming as she lived and farmed all of her life in Wayne Township. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s UCC and played many games of euchre at the Zion Country Club. She loved gardening, tending to her flowers, sewing and mending, and traveling with friends. She was very active for her age and was even mowing lawn this past summer.
Margaret is lovingly survived by four children, Lavern (Diane) Akins, Eugene (Sandra) Akins, all of South Wayne, Stephen (Phyllis) Akins of Sussex, and Linda (Neal) Klassy of Blanchardville; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchilden; one great great-grandson; two sisters, Erma Kaster of Browntown; Leona (Wilbert) Klassey of Monroe; a brother, Herbert (Yvonne) Tornow of South Wayne; brother-in-law, Fred Pash of Freeport, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gerald, on March 25, 1989; a sister, Agnes (Roger) Shippee; brother-in-law, Edward Kaster; and sister-in-law, Lillian Pash.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec.12, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., at the Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, with Reverend David Busker officiating. Interment was in Elmwood Cemetery, Warren, Ill., followed by a time of fellowship at the Warren United Methodist Church, 101 E. Jefferson Street. Visitation was on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Newcomer Funeral Home, 1329 31st. Ave., Monroe. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.