Obituary of John Ackerman

John Ackerman, the beloved husband of Janetta for 62 years, passed away on December 19, 2020. He turned 91 years young on August 18, 2020. John had been having trouble breathing and was being treated for a heart condition (AFIB) and fluid around his lung. He had a procedure a few days before he passed to have fluid removed. He was breathing better and feeling better. It appeared that he was on the road to recovery. He was looking forward to Christmas and getting to spend some time with his family and new great granddaughter. On his final day, he went about his normal routine. He was feeling good. He had his martini and dinner. He was looking forward to watching college football on Saturday. When his family was unable to reach him Saturday morning, they went to his house to check on him. He was found in his favorite chair, curled up in his favorite blanket, and had been watching TV. He looked like he was sleeping. Based on the EMT’s feedback, it is presumed that his heart failed and he died instantly. He passed peacefully. John was very proud of his military service and his wishes were to be cremated and buried in the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI. He requested that we skip any viewing and simply lay him to rest. Due to current Covid restrictions, the family will hold a private military service at Great Lakes National Cemetery. John is survived by his four children, Wayne (Cindy), Susan, Kurt (Cheri), Karen (Eddie Ulrich), his seven grandchildren, Kyle (Katie), Kevin, Elliott (Abby), Ian, Ethan, and McKenna (Ackerman), Ben Ulrich, and one great-granddaughter, Callie Jo Ackerman. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great grandnieces, and great grandnephews. John was born and raised in Detroit, MI. He met his wife, Janetta, in Pentwater while he was on vacation visiting his uncle Heine and Grandmother Kling. John spent many summers in Pentwater. John and Janetta dated on and off until John went into the Army. They reconnected in the summer of 1953 after John returned home from Korea. They were married September 11, 1954. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage. John followed in the family tradition of his grandfathers, father, and uncles and was a barber by trade. He stopped barbering in the late 70’s and went on to build tanks. He retired at 62 and spent the rest of his days enjoying life. During John’s time in the army, he learned to be a touch typist. He continued to type after his time in the service and published the VFW Bruce Post paper. John coached his sons in basketball and published the year-end basketball programs for all the teams in his sons’ league. He always involved his kids in his activities from folding the Bruce Post paper, assembling the basketball programs, and even silk-screening numbers on the basketball t-shirts for the entire league. John and Janetta enjoyed camping and traveled around the U.S. with their four children in their travel trailer. John and Janetta took a camping vacation every summer with their kids from 1963 until 1979. The family traveled as far west to South Dakota, east through New England and the Carolinas, and all the states south to Florida. One summer was spent touring Michigan and Canada. John even loaned out his trailer for years to be used as a hospitality center for the judges and dignitaries at the annual Memorial Day Parade in St. Clair Shores. John and Janetta also belonged to a trailer club from 1969 to 2003. The trailer club went camping monthly from May through October each year. They made a lot of good friends in the trailer club and continued the friendships long after they left the club. John spent a lot of time around the campfire entertaining his fellow campers by playing the accordion. John learned to play the accordion when he was a young boy and he even played the accordion on the radio when he was a boy. John enjoyed the outdoors. He loved fishing and hunting. John even shot a 6 pointer on what turned out to be his last hunt in November, 2020. Not bad for a 91 year-young man. John had a lot of hobbies including playing cards, taking pictures, filming family vacations as well as countless sporting events for his kids and other family members, watching his grandkids play sports, and solving the daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper. John loved to watch professional baseball and football. He and Janetta especially enjoyed it when the Detroit Tigers hit three home runs in one game so he could get free Arby's curly fries. Anyone who knew John knew that he loved his before dinner martinis, after dinner drinks, and playing several lottery games. He also enjoyed keeping in touch with long time friends via email. And, who could forget the ever-present toothpick. For over a decade, John got his exercise weekly at the Warren City Pool. He walked against the current in the lazy river 3 days a week. He had been walking for 2 hours each time until he broke his femur in 2017. He was disappointed that he had to “cut back” to only 1 ½ hours each time. He really missed going to the pool after it was closed due to Covid. John and Janetta always loved entertaining and hosting parties at their home. They looked forward to their annual soup party and St. Patrick’s Day party. I think we will all miss John’s deviled eggs. Everyone was welcome at their events and their guests helped make each event special. Their home was always open. John loved parties and wanted to be the first to arrive and the last to leave. John enjoyed being a grandfather and loved his seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter. He always loved a visit from the grandkids and from his children's pets. He would always have a treat for the four-legged critters and even let his son's dachshunds sit in his lap. The granddogs will miss him. John had a good, long life and was blessed with good family and good friends. While his passing was a shock to us all, we are grateful that it was quick. He will be greatly missed by his loved ones. John's family will be hosting a Celebration of Life in memory of John. If you are interested in attending, please email johntheprettyone@aol.com with your name and number of people who would like to attend. You will be contacted by email with the details. Rest In Peace John.