Autmer Ackley

Autmer Ackley (Lt. Col., Ret.), 89, of Athens, died Monday, September 8, 2014. He was born October 28, 1924 in Athens, Ohio. One of six children of Flourine (Smith) and Autmer Ackley Sr., Autmer grew up on a dairy farm on Kincade Rd., in Canaan Township. After graduating from Rome Canaan High School, he entered the Marine Corps in 1943, serving in the South Pacific during World War II. He enlisted in the US Army in 1948 and graduated from Officers Candidate School at Ft. Riley, Kansas as a Lieutenant in the Counter Intelligence Corps. He was stationed in Germany, Hawaii, Vietnam, and Washington, DC, and traveled extensively worldwide in connection with his official duties as Bursar and Acting Inspector General for the Army's Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM). His decorations for service to his county include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with six stars, and the Presidential Unit Citation Medal. Although he retired from active military duty in 1970, he continued to serve in a civilian capacity as an Intelligence Operations Specialist for INSCOM until his retirement in 1984. Upon retirement, Autmer returned to Athens. He volunteered his time to Athens Historical Society and the Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter #100. Autmer spent the last years of his life at the Red Carpet Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cambridge, Ohio. He benefited from the skilled and compassionate care provided by the staff. His family is grateful for the kindness and respect he received from them. Autmer was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Phyllis (Halbirt), his sisters, Ethel (Daily) and Marie (Linscott), and his brother, John Ackley. He is survived by his daughter Merrie Lee Roller of Athens, his son Michael Ackley and wife, Jan of Terra Alta, WV, his daughter Kathryn Marie Graham and husband, Donn Huffman of Athens, his granddaughter Samantha Roller, his brother Charles Ackley and sister Lena (Frazier), and step-grandsons Michael Stasulli and Daniel Stasulli, step-granddaughter Gina Stasulli, great-step-granddaughters Paige Green and Kaila Jaden Stasulli, and great-step-grandson Bailey Smith. His children will hold a private graveside service and, at a later date, hold an open house memorial gathering to celebrate his life. He was a good father, a good man and he will be missed. Donations can be made in his name to the Athens County Historical Society and Museum, 65 North Court Street, Athens, Ohio 45701, or VVA Chapter #100, PO Box 2601, Athens OH 45701-2601, or vva100@hotmail.com.?