Obituary of Janetta Adele Ackerman

Janetta Adele Ackerman, the beloved wife of John for 62 years, passed away on November 1, 2016, around 3 p.m. She turned 87 years young on May 27, 2016. Janetta's last day was a beautiful fall day filled with sunshine and seasonally warm weather. She sat on the front porch and later in the back yard chair taking in the sunshine while John cut the lawn. She got John dog treats to feed to the neighbor's dog. When the yard work was finished, they went inside for a rest. Janetta sat in her favorite rocking chair and talked to John. She was weak; but, appeared to be fine. John went to the store to pick up a few items. When he returned home 15 minutes later, John found Janetta laying on the kitchen floor. She was unresponsive and was not breathing. John called 911 and the police, fire, and EMT's arrived within 5 minutes. Unfortunately, Janetta had already passed away. Janetta was hospitalized in April, 2016, and diagnosed with a heart condition (AFIB). She was placed on several medications which allowed the family seven precious more months of her company. Her heart was very weak and she had been moving rather slowly and napping more often the last few weeks. Based on her condition and the EMT's feedback, it is suspected that her heart stopped and she died instantly. Janetta's wishes were to be cremated and buried in the National Cemetery in Holly, MI. She requested that we skip any viewing and simply lay her to rest. We are honoring her wishes and making the arrangements to take her to the National Cemetery. Janetta is survived by her beloved husband (John), her four children, Wayne (Cindy), Susan, Kurt (Cheri), Karen (Eddie Ulrich), and her seven grandchildren, Kyle, Kevin, Elliott, Ian, Ethan, and McKenna (Ackerman) and Ben Ulrich. She is also survived by her youngest brother, Robert (Mary) Cory and a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great grandnieces, and great grandnephews. Janetta was born and raised in Pentwater, MI. She met her husband, John, in Pentwater while he was on vacation visiting his uncle Heine and Grandmother Kling. John was from Detroit and 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 and Janetta enjoyed camping and traveled around the U.S. with their four children in their travel trailer. Janetta took a vacation every summer with John and their kids from 1963 until 1974. 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. They also belonged to a trailer club from 1969 to 2003. The trailer club went camping monthly from May through October each year. Janetta loved to read and enjoyed Harlequin Romances, any romance book, Reader's Digest, her daily and hometown newspapers, and a variety of magazines. She also loved going to the library and getting books to read. Janetta loved decorating her house for each season. You always knew what time of year it was just by looking at the decorations on the porch, lawn, front door, and throughout her house. We will miss the jars on her counter and tabled filled with seasonal treats. Janetta loved to watch professional baseball, football, and hockey. She especially enjoyed it when the Detroit Tigers hit three home runs in one game so she could get her free Arby's curly fries. It was the simple things in life that made her happy. She also enjoyed watching her Grandson Ben play football, basketball, and baseball. Janetta enjoyed being a Grandmother and loved her seven grandchildren. Several of her grandchildren would come over for dinner on Wednesday before they headed out to church. She lived close to her oldest son's church and the college her grandsons attended. She always welcomed a visit from her grandchildren and children when they were on the way to or from church or college. Her door was always open for visitors. Janetta always claimed she would never be Grandmother to a dog; but, she was always good to her children's pets. She would always have a treat for them and even let her son's dachshunds sit in her lap. The granddogs will miss her. Janetta had a good, long life and was blessed with good family and good friends. While her passing was a shock to us all, we are grateful that it was quick. She will be greatly missed by her loved ones. Janetta's family will be hosting a private Celebration of Life Luncheon in memory of Janetta. Rest In Peace Janetta.