William G. Ackerman

A funeral service for William George Ackerman, age 80, of Lancaster, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 14, at St. Paul New Berne Lutheran Church, 1965 Lutheran Church Road SE, Lancaster, with the Rev. Dr. Merlyn Seitz officiating. Burial will take place in Lithopolis Cemetery, Lithopolis. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, at the church as well as from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service on Friday.Bill was born August 8, 1934 in Coldwater, Ohio to the late Rev. Edwin George and Edith Rosalind (Meister) Ackerman. He passed away on Monday, November 10, 2014 at Pickering House Hospice in Lancaster.A 1952 graduate of Arlington High School, Bill went out West to work with Mission Builders in California from 1952-53. Upon his return to Ohio, he attended Capital University in Bexley. In 1956, Bill moved to Hessel, located in the Les Cheneaux Islands of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where he operated Ackerman Lumber Company with his brother, Ray, until 1969. Bill and Ray, along with Dr. Leonard J. DeLooff, were instrumental in starting the first ambulance service in the Hessel/Cedarville area. Bill was a volunteer with the Clark Township Ambulance Service and the Clark Township Fire Department for many years. Following his employment with the lumber company, Bill owned and operated the Hilltop Restaurant for several years. He was then employed by the Tri-County Buyers Guide for 12 years, 10 years in Hessel and the last two in Sault Ste. Marie. In 1982, Bill purchased the Hessel Home Bakery which he operated with his wife, Margie. Bill was known throughout the area for his delicious baked goods, breads and Pasties. Bill and Margie retired in 1998 to Lancaster, Ohio. During his retirement, Bill worked for Meals on Wheels in Lancaster for eight years.Bill was a member of the St. Paul North Berne Lutheran Church in Lancaster where he sang in the choir. He was a former member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Cedarville, Michigan and served on the school board for Les Cheneaux Community Schools for over twelve years.He is survived by his wife, Marjorie K. Margie (Storts) Ackerman, whom he married March 29, 1986; daughter, Debra Sue Debbie (Bruce) Thompson of Hessel, MI; son, William Marshall Billy Ackerman of Pickford, MI; grandchildren, Jason Thompson of Hessel, Brandy Thompson of Washington, Michael (Courtney) Thompson of Traverse City and Jagger William Ackerman of Pickford; several great-grandchildren; four step-children as well as thirteen step-grandchildren and fifteen step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Phyllis E. Tiz DeLooff and Carol R. Ackerman, both of Pickerington; sister-in-law, Sarah O. Ackerman of Green Bay, WI; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond B. Ackerman; and a brother-in-law, Dr. Leonard J. DeLooff.Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul New Berne Lutheran Church, 1965 Lutheran Church Road SE, Lancaster, Ohio 43130, Bethel Lutheran Church, 217 North M-129, Cedarville, MI 49719 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.Greta Ackerman Blegvad of Hoskinson Funeral Home, Kirkersville, and Raymond B. Ackerman, Jr. of Schultz Funeral Home, De Witt, Iowa are honored to care for their Uncle Bill and the family during this time.