Charles Edward Ackerman, 91, of Milford went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023.
Charley was born March 12, 1932, on a farm south of Milford, to Jesse and Clara (Burkey) Ackerman. He attended District 47 school through junior high and attended the Assembly of God Church.
As a young boy, he loved his dad’s John Deere tractor, helped milk 16 Holstein cows every morning and evening and assisted with farm chores for his neighbor, Floyd Burkey. Charley also purchased a big Chevy truck, flatbed trailer and hauled hay to San Antonio.
On June 20, 1952, he married Margaret McGonigle of Beaver Crossing, whom he met with his church youth group. To this union was born a son, Russell, on March 6, 1956, and a daughter, Rachelle, on Oct. 3, 1961.
As Charley began to enjoy married life, the Army called and on Oct. 16, 1952, he was sent to the front lines in the Korean War. During service, Charley was severely wounded by machine gun fire and was eventually transferred to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver. He spent five hours in surgery, followed by five months of rehabilitation and was finally given disability discharge to return back home.
In November 1953, he and Margaret moved back to Milford, where Charley drove a truck for Dick Stutzman of Milford Transfer. In June 1954, he became an owner of Ackerman Rock & Gravel when he purchased the business from his uncle, Floyd Roll. Charley owned and operated the business for nearly 30 years. He drove the truck himself and enjoyed hauling sand, gravel, crushed rock and agricultural lime to people in the surrounding counties.
For a short time in 1963, he drove a Continental Trailways tour bus and traveled to all 48 continental states while his father, Jesse, continued the trucking business. Charley returned to Ackerman Rock & Gravel, but his love of travel remained.
Charley and Margaret loved to spend winter weeks in Florida in the early years, and later, each winter in Arizona. Charley was a lifelong Husker football fan, holding University of Nebraska season tickets since 1962 and never missed a game while his health was good. As a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan, he was ecstatic to witness the first World Series championship in nearly 100 years in 2016.
Charley also loved playing golf and even participated in some tournaments along with Margaret. When he retired on Jan. 1, 1995, he spent more of his days filled with the sport and was known for accommodating his beloved dogs on the golf cart during his 18-hole rounds.
He loved his children and grandchildren, Adriana and Alexander, and always made a point to travel to support graduations and key family moments in person. He never missed an opportunity for any celebratory occasion, to send a care package full of clever cards, old family pictures, accompanied with a box of candy.
In March 2015, he and Ruth Lind participated in a highlight of his life when he was honored for his army service through an honorary flight and memorial trip for Korean War veterans in Washington, D.C. it was a moment he proudly cherished and truly felt appreciated for his service.
He is survived by his son, Russell Ackerman, Wilton, Connecticutt; daughter and son-in-law, Rachelle and Raymond Neverdahl, Leander, Texas; grandchildren, Adriana and Alexander Ackerman, New York City, New York; brother-in-law, Dale and LaDean McGonigle, Milford; and special friend, Ruth Lind, Colombus; along with many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Margaret; parents, Jesse and Clara Ackerman; sister, Marjorie Kremer; parents-in-law, Clyde and Wilma McGonigle; and daughter-in-law Susan Ackerman.
Visitation will be at the Lauber Funeral Home in Milford on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 5 – 8 p.m. and then Friday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. – noon. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, at the United Methodist Church in Milford with burial at the Pleasant View Cemetery, rural Milford. Memorial contributions are suggested to an animal shelter or animal rescue of the donor's choice. Arrangements by Lauber Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
