Rose Acker

Mrs. Rose Acker, 84 of Marysville, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister died December 18, 2006 in Marwood Manor after a brief illness. She was born May 24, 1922 in Hazel Hurst, PA to the late Joseph and Mary Napolitan. She grew up and graduated in Hazel Hurst before moving to Port Huron in 1941. She married Theodore W. Acker on January 6, 1945 at St. Joseph's Church in Port Huron. During the course of their marriage they lived in Nova Scotia, Michigan, Florida and Pennsylvania. He died in May of 1999 in Somerset, PA. Before marrying Wes (Ted) she worked at Newberry's in downtown Port Huron and had so many amusing stories to tell her family of her experiences while working there. That is where she met her future husband who was Canadian and a member of the Royal Canadian Navy. Rose loved music, singing and dancing. As a young girl she would sit with her mother for hours listening to Italian opera on the radio. Over the years she talked about how much she loved that time with her mother. Her other joy was spending time with her children, her brothers and their wives. Rose loved being in the spotlight and was a real prankster as a youngster. She loved all people and enjoyed a good time. She had so many good friends she left behind in Pennsylvania that she missed so much and over the years she never forgot. She always talked about "her" mountains she left behind and how much she missed them so she returned to Hazel Hurst in 2004 before she got too sick to see them and her home town one last time. Rose worked in the girls department at Sears Roebuck when it was located in downtown Port Huron for 17 years. Rose was a mother, wife and homemaker for 20 years before her job at Sears. She single-handedly raised her eight children after her divorce and gave everything she had and was to that responsibility. Because Rose never learned to drive there were many days when she had no transportation to or from work other than an unreliable bus service and many times she had to walk to her job braving all sorts of inclement weather. She truly was an example of what it was to be strong, brave, fun-loving, honest and loyal to her children and all those around her who cared about her. Even though at times she was sick, lonely and frightened she never complained. Over the years Rose's favorite pastime was going to bingo in Canada with her daughter Mary Jo, her daughter-in-law Barb and special friend Vera Curtis. She was an amazing person and will be sadly missed. She is survived by her eight children, Sharon (Richard) McCarty of Pennsylvania, Ted Acker, Jr. Of California, Carmela (Frank) Catanzaro of Port Huron, Christopher (Sandra) Acker of Virginia, Mary Jo (Thomas ) Lund of Marysville, Joseph (Anne) Acker of Port Huron, Anthony (Barbara) Acker of South Carolina and Michael (Mary ) Acker of Washington. Eighteen grandchildren; Tracy (Dave) Lightner of PA, Tim (Robin ) Acker of Kentucky, Bill (Cathy) Williams of St. Clair, Christy and Kelly Janisch of Washington, D.C, Robert & Ryan Lund of Marysville, Justin Acker of Marysville, Adam Acker of South Carolina, Jayme (Steve) McConnell of North Carolina, Valerie, Jonathan and Eric Acker of Washington, Elisa (Randy) Grimes of Georgia, Christopher Acker, Jr. Of Virginia, Christopher and Nicholas Acker of California and a step grandson, Justin Grace of Colorado; 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers Lewis and Joseph (Joanne) Napolitan, sister-in-law Helen Napolitan and many wonderful nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a beloved brother, Carmen Napolitan, sister-in-law Shirley Napolitan and Katie (Okim) Ellis. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Friday in St. Mary's Church. The Rev. Simeon T. Iber, Pastor will officiate. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday in the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home and 9 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Church. The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Thursday. Pallbearers will be William Williams, Robert Lund, Ryan Lund, Justin Acker, Adam Acker and Christy Janisch. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider In-House Hospice, American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association.