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Michael R Acton

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Michael R Acton

Birth
Rippey, Greene County, Iowa, USA
Death
11 Jan 2019 (aged 78)
Dubuque County, Iowa, USA
Burial
Grand Junction, Greene County, Iowa, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Michael R. Acton, age 78, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 4 a.m. on Friday, January 11, 2019, at Hawkeye Care Center, surrounded by his loving family.

To honor Mike’s life, funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, 602 Hager St. E, in Grand Junction, Iowa, with Rev. Jim Bruch officiating. To celebrate Mike’s life, family and friends may visit from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday, January 14, 2019, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, in Dubuque. Burial will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Grand Junction.

Major Michael R. Acton, U.S. Army (Retired), was born on September 9, 1940, in Rippey, Iowa, son of Robert J. and Helen F. (Aspenall) Acton, the oldest of the family’s seven children.

He graduated from Rippey (Iowa) High School in 1958 and joined the military the following year. Mike was commissioned through the Army’s Officer Candidate Program and served as an infantry platoon leader during the Vietnam War. During his second tour of duty in Vietnam he served as an infantry company commander. Among his awards are the Bronze Star for Valor, three Bronze Stars for Achievement in Combat, three Meritorious Service medals, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1972, and his Master’s Degree in Journalism at the University of Kansas in 1981.

After his retirement from the Army, he was an Assistant Professor of Journalism and the Communication Department Chairman at Clarke College in Dubuque for 13 years. He followed his academic career as a project editor for Buckledown Publishing Company in Iowa City, from which he retired in 2011.

Mike is survived by his sons, Paul (Stephanie) Acton, of Gilbert, Ariz., Sean (Vikki) Acton, of Maquoketa, Iowa; his six grandchildren, Dalen, Todd, Raina, Anya, Maia and Eli; his siblings, Dan Acton, Rippey, Iowa, Janice (Ken) Johnston, Chicago, Ill., Tim (Sandra) Acton, Phoenix, Ariz., Dave (Stephanie) Acton, Sun Prairie, Wis. and Pat (April) Acton, Gladbrook, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Acton; and a sister-in-law, Fereleen Acton.

Mike’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque, especially Amy and Nichole, for all of the care and support given to Mike and his family.

Memorials will be accepted by the family to be distributed among his favorite charities.

Online condolences may be left for the family at: www. behrfuneralhome.com.
Michael R. Acton, age 78, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 4 a.m. on Friday, January 11, 2019, at Hawkeye Care Center, surrounded by his loving family.

To honor Mike’s life, funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, 602 Hager St. E, in Grand Junction, Iowa, with Rev. Jim Bruch officiating. To celebrate Mike’s life, family and friends may visit from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday, January 14, 2019, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, in Dubuque. Burial will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Grand Junction.

Major Michael R. Acton, U.S. Army (Retired), was born on September 9, 1940, in Rippey, Iowa, son of Robert J. and Helen F. (Aspenall) Acton, the oldest of the family’s seven children.

He graduated from Rippey (Iowa) High School in 1958 and joined the military the following year. Mike was commissioned through the Army’s Officer Candidate Program and served as an infantry platoon leader during the Vietnam War. During his second tour of duty in Vietnam he served as an infantry company commander. Among his awards are the Bronze Star for Valor, three Bronze Stars for Achievement in Combat, three Meritorious Service medals, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1972, and his Master’s Degree in Journalism at the University of Kansas in 1981.

After his retirement from the Army, he was an Assistant Professor of Journalism and the Communication Department Chairman at Clarke College in Dubuque for 13 years. He followed his academic career as a project editor for Buckledown Publishing Company in Iowa City, from which he retired in 2011.

Mike is survived by his sons, Paul (Stephanie) Acton, of Gilbert, Ariz., Sean (Vikki) Acton, of Maquoketa, Iowa; his six grandchildren, Dalen, Todd, Raina, Anya, Maia and Eli; his siblings, Dan Acton, Rippey, Iowa, Janice (Ken) Johnston, Chicago, Ill., Tim (Sandra) Acton, Phoenix, Ariz., Dave (Stephanie) Acton, Sun Prairie, Wis. and Pat (April) Acton, Gladbrook, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Acton; and a sister-in-law, Fereleen Acton.

Mike’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque, especially Amy and Nichole, for all of the care and support given to Mike and his family.

Memorials will be accepted by the family to be distributed among his favorite charities.

Online condolences may be left for the family at: www. behrfuneralhome.com.


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  • Created by: jbpfab
  • Added: Jan 12, 2019
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/196015349/michael_r-acton: accessed ), memorial page for Michael R Acton (9 Sep 1940–11 Jan 2019), Find a Grave Memorial ID 196015349, citing Mount Calvary Cemetery, Grand Junction, Greene County, Iowa, USA; Burial Details Unknown; Maintained by jbpfab (contributor 47363886).