Robert Daniel "Bob" Aker, 76, of Pulaski passed away Sunday, April 7, 2013 at Lewis-Gale Hospital-Pulaski. Born November 30, 1936 in Smyth County, he was the son of the late Wilburn W. "Bud" and Mary E. Aker. His brother, Vance "Hap" Aker, and sisters, Mamie Scott and Mildred Dority, also preceded him in death. He was a veteran of the United States Army and a member of the Pulaski American Legion Post #7. He was retired from Nehi Bottling Company, where he was a route sales supervisor with over 34 years of service. He also drove a school bus for the Pulaski County School system from 2000-2010 for pre-school children. Survivors include his wife, June Crutchfield Aker of Pulaski; four children, Denise Aker Tickle, and husband, Mark, of Winston-Salem, N.C., Jeff and and wife, Ann Aker, of Black Mountain, N.C., Steven Aker and "special friend," Leslie Peterson, and children, Ellie and Greta of Dublin and Karen Aker Gusler and husband, Randall, of Statesville, N.C.; and grandchildren, Dylan and Justin Aker, Brock, Jake and Kirsten Gusler, and Sydney, Ashlyn and Lauren Tickle. Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church, Pulaski, with the Rev. Hugh Kilgore officiating. Interment followed at the Rose Lawn Cemetery - Marion, with the V.F.W. Post # 4667, Smyth County, conducting military honors. The family received friends from Monday 6 until 8 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations, in his honor, be sent to First United Methodist Church, Pulaski, or the American Cancer Society . To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com. Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski, was in charge of arrangements.

Published in Wytheville Enterprise on April 10, 2013