Wilda Ackerman

Wilda Marie Ackerman peacefully passed away in her beloved home with her family in attendance on January 2, 2017.

A funeral service will be held 2 PM Friday, January 6, 2017 at Berrien Community Church, 4284 Lake Street, Bridgman with Reverend Herb Smith officiating. Friends may meet with the family on Friday from 1 - 2 PM at the church. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to your charity of choice.

Wilda was born on February 3, 1921 to Ferdinand and Lillian (Groth) Heyn on their farm on Gast Road in Bridgman. She graduated from Bridgman High school in 1939 and was Miss Bridgman that same year. She worked as a secretary for Ackerman Nurseries and married Robert W. Ackerman, Jr in 1948. They raised their four children, Fay, Susan, Bobby and Donald in the family homestead on Baldwin Road where Mr. Ackerman was born in 1910.

Wilda was a devoted Christian who taught Sunday School throughout most of her life at Olivet Congregational Church where she served as secretary for many years and later attended Baroda Bible Church. Her faith in Jesus Christ was a guiding force in her life on earth and an example to her family and friends. She always found strength and comfort in reading her Bible.

Wilda was an accomplished seamstress who could sew anything from a bathing suit to a wedding gown. She was an avid gardener and her yard was always surrounded by an abundance of flowers. She loved the beach and working in her garden, but her greatest joy was her family and especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Wilda was an exceptional cook and hosted numerous family gatherings throughout her life and was in the front row for every sporting event, musical performance or recital for her children.

Wilda is survived by her brother: William Otto Heyn of Naples; her four children: Fay (Gary) Groh of Lake Bluff, Susan Ackerman of Sawyer, Robert (Sandy) Weston Ackerman III of West Bloomfield and Donald (Pamela) Ackerman of Bridgman; grandchildren: Gretchen Groh, Geoff (Sarah) Groh, Susie (Scott) Nehls, Holly (Mike) Busick, Emily Hosinski, Abigail Hosinski, Michael (Chessa) P. Hosinski, Grace (Brad) Alaska, Ray Ackerman, Dan Ackerman, Piper Ackerman and David (Sweta) Ackerman; great grandchildren: Weston, Elisabeth, Brady, Jack and Emilia Busick, Owen, Luke and Elinor Nehls and Rory Alaska; and many nieces and nephews.

Wilda was preceded in death by her husband: Robert; her parents: Ferdinand and Lillian Heyn; and siblings: Donald Heyn, Ronald Heyn, Elwyn Heyn and Ellen Heyn; and infant grandchildren: Robert Weston Ackerman IV and Jennifer Hosinski.

Visitation

Friday January 6, 2017 , 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM at Berrien Community Church

Funeral Service

Friday January 6, 2017 , 2:00 PM at Berrien Community Church

Burial

Friday January 6, 2017 at Greenwood Cemetery