John Reed Aker

John Reed Aker, DDS, 87, of Carmel, passed away April 16, 2021. Dr. Aker was the beloved husband to Monica and proud father to Debra Willins, PhD and John S. Aker, MD. John and Monica met in 1959 in Syracuse, NY where they lived from 1960-1966. His gentle, quiet kindness helped many of his patients. He was born in Columbia City, Indiana to the late Reuben and Elsie (Watson) Aker. He received a mechanical engineering degree from Indiana Tech and his D.D.S. degree from the State University of New York. He was a Mechanical Engineer for G.E. from 1958-1970. John opened his private practice in dentistry in Buffalo, New York in 1970 and retired in 1992. He was also a dental professor at the State University of New York from 1970-1992. He was a member of the Dental Association in Buffalo, N.Y. and the Dental Honor Society. He published in the Journal of American Dental and had patents for an Amalgam Condenser (Buffalo) and Engineering Designs (Syracuse). John is survived by his wife of 61 years, Monica (Nicotra) Aker; children, Debra (John) Willins, PhD of Massachusetts, and John S. (Kathleen) Aker, MD of Indiana; grandchildren, Rachel(Brandon) Denning, Zachery Aker, Daniel Willins, Sophie Willins; brothers, Joe Aker, Max Aker; sister Erma Aker. He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Lewis, Cleatus, and Mary. In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory may be made to the Living Memorial Bench and Garden Fund( which may be sent to the Aker residence ) or Alzheimer Association ( https://www.alz.org/ ) , click on donate, then Donate in memory of John Aker, and check the box that says “notify someone about this gift” and type in Monica Aker’s contact information. Leppert Mortuary – Nora Chapel assisting with arrangements. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.leppertmortuary.com.