Mary Elizabeth (Edel) Aker or Maw Maw, 84, co-founder of Aker Plastics Co. Inc. of Plymouth, passed away of natural causes on Saturday, September 10th at home surrounded by family. Mary was born on September 8, 1932 in Bremen, Indiana to John E. and Inez I. (Frenger) Edel. She graduated from Bremen High School in 1950. She has always been a proud Bremen girl and loved participating with her group of friends, “The Daisies†in high school.
On July 28, 1951 she married Donald Eugene Aker. They were married 59 years. On January 7, 1967 they founded their bathtub manufacturing business, Aker Plastics Co., Inc. in Mishawaka, Indiana. Mary worked alongside Don building the business often rolling out the fiberglass and cutting the patterns with their three children. In 1971, they moved to Plymouth to build their manufacturing company in the new industrial park. Mary was a proud housewife and mother often saying that raising her children were the best years of her life. Mary was a member of the Church of the Brethren in Plymouth, Indiana for over 60 years. In 1994, Don and Mary retired, selling the business to their children.
Mary is survived by her sons, Mark (Ann) Aker and Gary (Eyvonne) Aker Sr., and their daughter, Jayne Aker, all of Plymouth. Her sisters Vivian Walker and Marcia Corl and her 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren also survive.
Lisa (Vince) Lacy, Carly, Donny Poczik; Stacy (Trenton) Marlynn Glaub; Gary Aker Jr.; Andy (Jamie) Skyler, Alexis Aker; Lynndi, Madelyn, Benjamin Jr., Lainey Rader; Sara Naylor, Suzanne, Mitchell, Mary Evans; Emily (Jonathan) Henry, Ethan Heilman, Bryan Kaiyan, Bradie, Lily, Ruby, Naylor; Tony Aker; Dylan Aker and Connor Aker. She was preceded in death by her husband Don, her parents, 7 brothers, 8 sisters and her great-grandson, Cody Poczik.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 pm Thursday, September 15, 2016 in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N Michigan St, Plymouth. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Friday, September 16, 2016 at the Church of the Brethren, 1130 N Michigan St, Plymouth. Retire pastor Rev. Ruth Yoder will officiate. Visitation will continue in the church after 10 a.m. until time of service. Entombment will follow in the Aker mausoleum at New Oak Hill Cemetery, Plymouth.
Preferred expressions of sympathy are memorial gift contributions to the Boys & Girls Club of Marshall County, 314 E. Jefferson St., Plymouth, IN 46563.