CORTLAND
Carl Acton, 83, of Cortland passed away Thursday, March 2, 2017, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Born Feb. 17, 1934, he was the son of Thornton and Verna Otte Acton, both of whom preceded him in death. On Sept. 2, 1955, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Waymansville, he married Lila “Lee” Milliner, who survives.
Carl graduated from Cortland High School and served in the United States Navy during the Korean War aboard the USS Tawawa in Boston and the USS Monterey in Pensacola, Florida. After serving his country, he went to work at Arvins, then at Thompson Dairy Co., where he retired. He was not one to stay idle so he went to work for Howard Wente Builders and did some work as a self-employed work contractor.
He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, where he was confirmed and baptized there. He played dartball for Waymansville and Borchers churches. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, playing euchre and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was very close with all 200-plus family members and his absence will leave a great void in their lives. The world is a better or worse place with everyone in it and we know for sure it was a better world with Carl in it. He was a kind, loving and gentle man who loved God and the life he was given through Him.
Other survivors beside his wife of 61 years include three daughters, Cathy (Tony) Schafstall, Brenda (George) James and Edith (Norman) Otte; eight grandchildren, Andrew (Brandy) Schafstall, Cassie (Ben) Fox, Lacey (Josh) Lanam, Nicholas and Cassandra Walker and Jacob (Rachel), Adam and Preston Otte; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Brooke Schafstall, Eli, Cali and Emmi Fox, Luke, Oliver and Liza Lanam, Braeden, Carlee and Gracie Walker, Krystalynn Ritz, Owen Tormoehlen, and Lily and Bryson Otte; and siblings, Don (Dottie) Acton, Irvin (Carolyn) Acton, Wendell (Gale) Acton, Donna Griffith, Alberta (Rick) Schafstall and Harrell (Judy) Acton.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Theodore, Ronnie Dale and Charles Acton; and sisters, Beulah Tatlock and Elsie Spurgeon.
The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Waymansville with the Rev. John Beabout officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, with full military graveside honors conducted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1925, American Legion Post 89, Disabled American Veterans, Korean and Vietnam Veterans of Seymour.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Voss & Sons Funeral Home and from 2 to 3 p.m Sunday at St. Peter Lutheran Church.
Memorials may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church, the American Heart Association or the American Kidney Association.
Condolences may be shared at vossfuneralservice.com.