Grace L. Aker Cohn

Grace L. Aker Cohn peacefully fell asleep on the evening of Monday, March 22, 2021 at the age of 104.

She was born in Putnam County on Oct. 1, 1916, the youngest daughter of Willis Aker and Emma Long Aker.

Grace graduated from Reelsville High School in 1933 and went on to receive her teaching degree from Danville College. She was a bookkeeper at Horace Link in Greencastle, then became a kindergarten teacher, where she taught at Eminence High School in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Grace had a passion for genealogy and the preservation of local history. She volunteered countless hours at the Clay County Genealogical Society and was awarded a lifetime membership in 1995 for her contributions to genealogists throughout the United States. Even as Grace approached 100 years in age, she continued to welcome visitors curious about their genealogical past and entertained them with very accurate and vivid personal anecdotes about their loved ones and past events from the Reelsville area.

Affectionately referred to as “Nanny,” Grace enjoyed documenting family events and milestones with personal photographs and detailed notes. Her hobbies included sewing, making crafts and cooking — particularly her specialty: deviled eggs. Grace also enjoyed watching and tending to the wildlife around her house. She always welcomed her great-grandchildren into her house after playing outside with a frozen Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and a mini Coca-Cola. Later in life, she was grateful for calls and visits from friends and family.

Even at the age of 104, Grace was always living for today. She never entertained the prospect of death, nor made comments such as, “I will never live to see that.” Age would not prohibit Grace from being present with her family, sharing stories with neighbors or even living on her own. In her mind, she would live forever — and she indeed will live on through the memories she shared and preserved for her family, friends and the community.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Marvise L. Aker and Lena May Job (Reese); daughter Barbara Cohn Proctor (Jimmy); and nephew Ronald S. Job (Judy).

She is survived by her granddaughter Tracy (Jon) Britton of Reelsville; “adopted granddaughter” Connie (Mike) Clodfelter of Heritage Lake; seven great-grandchildren, Kaleb (Amanda) Britton, Kody Britton, Chip (Kandis) McCullough, Shannon (Kati) McCullough, Jamie (Clint) Britton-Blank, Josh (Megan) Britton and Tad (Kalina) Chew; and many great-great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 6 at Lawson-Miller Chapel, 1702 E. National Ave., Brazil, with Pastor Stephen Blaydes officiating. Burial will follow at Summit Lawn Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

The family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to the Reelsville/Washington Township VFD, 7748 S. County Rd. 625 W., Reelsville, IN 46171.

To light a candle in her memory, visit www.frenchfuneralhome.com.