Michael R. Acton, 78, of Dubuque was called home peacefully at 4 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, at Hawkeye Care Center in Dubuque, Iowa, surrounded by his loving family.
To honor Mike’s life, funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15 at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, 602 Hager St. E. in Grand Junction, with Rev. Jim Bruch officiating. To celebrate Mike’s life, family and friends visited from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14 at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main St. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Grand Junction.
Maj. Michael R. Acton, U.S. Army (Retired), was born Sept. 9, 1940, in Rippey, Iowa, son of Robert J. and Helen F. (Aspenall) Acton, the oldest of the family’s seven children.
He graduated from Rippey High School in 1958 and joined the military the following year. Mike was commissioned through the U.S. Army Officer Candidate Program and subsequently served as an infantry platoon leader during the Vietnam War.
During his second tour of duty in Vietnam, he served as an infantry company commander. Among his many awards are the Bronze Star For Valor, three Bronze Stars for Achievement in Combat, three Meritorious Service medals, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
He completed his bachelor’s degree in English literature at the University of Nebraska in Omaha in 1972 and his master’s degree in journalism at the University of Kansas in 1981.
After his retirement from the U.S. Army, he was an assistant professor of journalism and the communication department chairman at Clarke College in Dubuque for 13 years.
He followed his academic career as a project editor for Buckledown Publishing Co. in Iowa City, from which he retired in 2011.
Mike is survived by his sons, Paul (Stephanie) Acton of Gilbert, Ariz., and Sean (Vikki) Acton of Maquoketa; his six grandchildren, Dalen, Todd, Raina, Anya, Maia and Eli; his siblings, Dan Acton of Rippey, Janice (Ken) Johnston of Chicago, Tim (Sandra) Acton of Phoenix, Ariz., Dave (Stephanie) Acton of Sun Prairie, Wis., and Pat (April) Acton of Gladbrooke, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Acton; and a sister-in-law, Fereleen Acton.
Mike’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque, especially Amy and Nichole, for all of the care and support given to Mike and his family.
Memorials will be accepted by the family to be distributed among his favorite charities.
Behr Funeral Home in Dubuque is in charge of arrangements. Hastings Funeral Home is assisting the Behr Funeral Home locally.
