Josh “Junior” M. Akemon

Josh Michael Akemon, “Junior,” 65, Lafayette, passed away at 5:18 a.m. on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at Franciscan Health, Lafayette East.
Born April 26, 1955 in Hazard, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Josh and Elsie (Spurlock) Akemon.   On January 15, 1983, in Peru, Indiana, he was married to Barbara A. (Caldwell) Ritchie, who survives.
He was a 1974 graduate of North Miami High School, where he played football, and retired after twenty-five years from SIA in Lafayette.  He played drums and guitar in several different bands and loved old cars, owning and restoring several over the years.  He will be remembered as a hard working man who loved the Lord.  Along with some friends, he helped build the Rochester Church of God and was a member of Faith Church, Lafayette.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara A. Akemon, Lafayette; three children, Charles D. “Chuck” Ritchie, Florida; Dawn A. (C.J.) Barngrover; and Joshua M. (Bailey) Akemon, Lafayette; eight grandchildren, Haley Thomason, Georgia; Scarlett Ritchie, Florida; Faith, Nevaeh, and Avery Barngrover, Monticello; and Layton, Declan, and Brennan Akemon, Delphi; two sisters, Lois Jean (Harry) Moses, Ohio; and Shirley (William) Coahran, Macy; one brother, Bob Akemon, Peru; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Carolyn Williams.
Funeral services will be held for immediate family only.  A recording of the service will be available on his obituary page at http://www.mcclainfh.com on Monday afternoon.
Public visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 7, 2021, at Soller-Baker Funeral Home, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, Indiana with Pastor Kevin Wathen officiating.
A public graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Rochester, Indiana.
Arrangements have been jointly entrusted to McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, and Soller-Baker Funeral Home, Lafayette.  Condolences may be sent online at http://www.mcclainfh.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to Relay for Life.