Neva Madeline Akers,"Grandma" a Northwest Indiana resident passed away Monday, May 23, 2015. She was born on April 21, 1929 in Grafton, West Virginia to the late James Carl and Hazel Vurl (nee Wiseman) Rutherford. She moved to Brandner, Ohio where she raised her 2 children with her husband Cleve Brown. Madeline worked 40 years at Ottawa Rubber Co. She organized Union and pension benefits. She moved to Indiana in 1983 to raise her grandchildren and was Grandma to anyone who kenw her. Grandma babysat for everyone and then for their children later. Madeline loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren and all who came into her life.
She is survived by her two children; Arthur Levi Brown of Las Vegas and Neva Maxine(Kenneth) Jongsma of Portage; six siblings, Dorothy (Tom) McWilliams, Roy Rutherford, Jack (Mary) Rutherford, Victor (Orvie) Rutherford, Clarence "Pete" Rutherford, James "Bob" (Nellie) Rutherford; 8 grandchildren, Troy (Jeannine),Eric, Cheryl (John), Tim (Karrie), Alicia (Michael), Heather(Al),April (Brian),and Kelly (Tim), 21 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren and other loving family members and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Troy Akers, her parents, granddaughter, Tina Reau and sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Rutherford.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 11:00 am at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave., Portage with Pastor Bob Burton officiating. Burial will follow at Heritage Cemetery, Portage. Visitation is Friday, May 29, 2015 from 2 p.m. to 9p.m. and Saturday, May 30, 2015 from 10:00 until the time of service at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel. Call (219) 762-3013 or visit us online at www.Reesfuneralhomes.com.