Craig Allan Akey

Craig A. Akey, age 79 of the Town of Belle Plaine, Shawano County, passed away surrounded by his
loved ones on May 29, 2024, at the ThedaCare Medical Center in Neenah.

Craig Allan Akey was born on January 19, 1945, as the son of the late Wallace “Walt” and Pauline (Frantz) Akey. He graduated from Baraboo High School in 1963 and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in English from UW Stevens Point where he was a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon. Craig met Kathy Radtke in an English class at UWSP and the couple were united in marriage on August 10, 1968, in Mazomanie. The couple then moved to Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ, where Craig earned his Master’s Degree from Northern Arizona University. In 1970 Craig and Kathy were recommended to apply for English teaching and librarian jobs, respectively, in Clintonville. They accepted the positions and made lasting friendships with students and fellow staff members over the years. Craig taught English at CHS for almost 34 years as well as evening classes at UW-Green Bay. Craig retired in 2003 and the couple moved from their house on Main Street to the Cloverleaf Lakes area where they have lived since. Craig worked hard to better the community and natural habitat surrounding it. He was a dedicated member and secretary for the Clintonville Chapter of Ducks Unlimited for many years, past President of the Clintonville Public Library Board the local United Way, and enjoyed working with his friends at the Navarino Nature Center. Clintonville’s current public library was developed and constructed during his tenure as Board President. Craig also loved sports. He was a member of the Little League Board and coached freshman basketball and the intramural program at CHS; he loved watching his grandsons compete in high school and college sports as well.   He also served as President of the Wisconsin Forensics Coaches Association and his forensics teams were perennial state powers. Craig had lifelong struggles with his physical disabilities but he never let that stop him or slow him down. He loved being outdoors fishing and hunting, or just watching and listening to the birds. In retirement, Craig and Kathy loved to travel and visited over 40 countries. Saturdays were often set aside for watching the Wisconsin Badgers, taking in many games at Camp Randall Stadium as 20-year football season ticket holders. Craig followed the Badgers to two Rose Bowls, three basketball Final Fours and two Maui Invitationals. Craig was fortunate to have a wonderful circle of friends. He looked forward to playing bridge, sheephead, and Canada, as well as shooting poolwith his friends on Winter Tuesdays. Through the years, Craig also enjoyed quiet time around his golden retrievers and more recently, daily Wordle. He was honored to accept the Community Heroes Award from the Clintonville Area Foundation in 2013. The community will miss his quiet grin, quick wit, and sense of humor as his memory lives on in those who knew him best. 

Survivors include:
His Wife: Kathy Akey
Sons: Torin (Lynn) Akey and Rian (Shaun Kane) Akey
Grandchildren: Konner and Kaiden Akey
Niece: Khym (Pat McKay) Kreider
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Karen, and brother-in-law Jim.

A Celebration of Craig’s Life will be held Saturday June 8, 2024, at 11am at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory (SOUTH LOCATION) 299 S. Main Street, Clintonville, WI 54929. Visitation will be held from 9am until the time of sharing by Craig's family and prayers by Fr. Jack Mullarkey at 11am. Casual or Badger gameday attire is welcome; friends and family will gather for a “tailgate” reception at Mathew’s Supper Club following the Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution or good deed to the organization or person of your choice. www.eberhardtstevenson.com