Raymond Burdell Ackerman

Raymond Burdell Ackerman, age 69, of Coleman, Wisconsin, was received into the Lord's presence early Thursday morning, June 17, 1999 at St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay, Wisconsin, with his family at his side.

He was born December 2, 1929, in Coldwater, Ohio, to the Reverend Edwin George and Edith Rosiland (Meister) Ackerman. Ray was a 1947 graduate of Celina, Ohio, High School. Following graduation, he worked for Farm Bureau at an Elevator and Lumber Yard. In the early 1950's he joined the City of Norwalk Police Department in Norwalk, Ohio, a career that he truly loved. In his calling of helping others, Ray became a Director's Assistant at Kubach-Smith Funeral Home, Norwalk. On April 12, 1959, Raymond was united in marriage to the former Sarah Johnson at Saint John Lutheran Church, Lithopolis, Ohio, with his father presiding. Shortly after his marriage to Sarah the couple moved to Hessel, Michigan, where Ray and his brother, Bill established Ackerman Lumber Company, Inc. While in Hessel, he and Bill and their brother-in-law, Doctor Leonard J. DeLooff founded Les Cheneaux Ambulance Service, one of the first ambulance services in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In 1969, Ray and his family moved to Coleman where he worked for Krause Lumber Company.  In 1974 he began working for Patz Company a manufacturer of quality farm handling and machine products where he worked until 1985 when illness caused paraplegia.  In 1980, Ray's son Raymond, Jr. was studying mortuary science and Ray looked forward to the hours that he could help doing funeral home related tasks.  He looked forward to the years when he would be able to continue to help in funeral service, but life took him in a different direction.  In 1991, Ray and his son, Raymond founded Ackerman Medical Transfer, a non-emergency wheelchair transportation service serving Oconto and Marinette Counties in Wisconsin. 

Ray was a longtime member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Cedarville, Michigan, where he served on the church council and various other committees in the congregation.  He was a former member of the Les Cheneaux Chamber of Commerce and was a bus driver for ten years for Les Cheneaux Community Schools.  He was also a member of Coleman Businessmen's Association where he served as secretary for many years, Coleman Harvest Festival Committee, Coleman/Pound Doctor's Search Committee, Coleman School Board, Coleman Housing for the Elderly Board and was former Cub Scout Leader.   

Raymond's greatest joy in life was his wife, Sarah and their children and grandchildren.  He was honest, hard-working, incredibly generous and was deeply admired by his family.  Even though Ray was in ill health for nearly 15 years, he was always there to offer encouragement and advice to his children and was greatly involved in their lives.  He had a deep passion for his beloved Hessel and spent many happy times on the waters of Lake Huron.  

His family includes his loving wife of 40 years, Sarah; children, Raymond, Jr. his wife, Sarah and their son, Raymond, III of Oconto, Wisconsin, Margareta Blegvad, her husband, Jens and their daughter, Emily of Newark, Ohio, Stephanie Macedo, her husband, Leo and their daughter of Green Bay and Edwin of Coleman; siblings, William Ackerman and his wife, Marjorie of Lancaster, Ohio, Phyllis DeLooff of Cedarville, Michigan, and Carol Ackerman of Pickerington, Ohio; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. Ray and Penny Johnson of Hillsdale, Michigan; several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Raymond in death were his parents; infant children, Mirium and Russell; brother-in-law, Doctor Leonard J. DeLooff and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, E. Leland and Olive Johnson.

The family received friends at First American Lutheran Church, Oconto from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 18, 1999.  A Service of Christian Burial was held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 1999, in the church with the Reverend Richard DeBenedetto officiating.  Visitation continued from 12 noon until 1:45 p.m. Monday, June 21, 1999, at Bethel Lutheran Church Cedarville.  The Rite of Christian Burial was held at 2:00 p.m. Monday in the church with the Reverend Peter Johnson officiating.  Burial followed at Cedar Cemetery, Cedarville.   

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials are suggested to Bethel Lutheran Church, PO Box 87, Cedarville, Michigan, 49719 or First American Lutheran Church, 511 Madison Street, Oconto, Wisconsin, 54153.  

The family extends their thanks to St. Vincent Dialysis Center, St. Vincent Hospital and Doctor Steven Neu for the wonderful care provided to Ray.  Also to the Reverend Richard DeBenedetto and the Reverend Jerry Kuehn for their comfort to Ray and his family.

Raymond B. Ackerman, Jr. and Margareta E. Blegvad, Funeral Directors cared for their dad's arrangements.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."