Harlan Akers

August 31, 1956  -  February 25, 2023

Harlan Dale Akers, 66, passed away February 25, 2023 in Indianapolis. Harlan was born to the late Gene (C.E.) Akers and Luella (Knoll) Newby in Brazil on August 31, 1956.

Harlan had a number of different occupations throughout his life. While working for Walt Evans Decorators, he built parade floats and delivered them to cities and towns in several mid-western states, often driving the floats in regional parades. On more than one occasion, floats he helped create were a part of the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade. In addition to jobs at local garden centers, at one time Harlan worked as a horse wrangler, managing a herd of over 20 Arabian horses, and he also co-founded Little Creek Special Equestrians, which provided special needs children and adults the opportunity to ride and interact with horses. Since 2007, Harlan worked at DePauw University, first as a member of the grounds crew, and more recently as part of the facilities management team.

Throughout his life Harlan enjoyed working with his hands. Among other things, he built a rustic gazebo, several horse barns, and a log cabin. In the past few weeks, he had also begun construction of a small greenhouse. Harlan had other wide-ranging interests, including gardening, and was extremely fond of his Hosta collection. He also enjoyed leather work, canoeing, rebuilding firearms, and beekeeping. Though soft-spoken, he enjoyed telling both jokes and humorous stories. Additionally, at one time in his life he and friends spent time trapping muskrat in nearby creeks and ponds. As one family member accurately described him, Harlan was both a frontiersman and a product of the 1960’s during which he grew up.

Harlan is preceded in death by his parents, one granddaughter Michaela Snyder, a brother, Michael Simmons, and a sister, Rebecca Newby, step-father, Don Newby, as well as his mother-in-law, Beth Holycross.

Harlan is survived by his wife, Carrie, their son, Wade, brothers Howard Akers (Sharon), Don Newby, and Phil Sherry-Newby (Marcia), sisters Diane Akers, Linda Derrow (Dan), and Joan McAvoy (Mark), father-in-law, Richard Holycross, brother-in-law, Will Holycross, as well as several nieces and nephews.

An informal Celebration of Life during which family and friends can gather to share their stories and memories of Harlan will be held Saturday, March 4th at Lawson-Miller Chapel, 1702 East National Avenue from 11-1.