James Schuyler Ackerman

Nov. 17, 1924 - Sept. 15, 2013
CASSOPOLIS - James S. Ackerman, 88, of Cassopolis, passed away Sunday morning, September 15, 2013, in his residence with his wife by his side. Jim was born November 17, 1924, in South Bend, Indiana, to Schuyler and Louise (Schaefer) Ackerman. His parents preceded him in death. He was also preceded by his daughter, Belinda Lou Ackerman Lozier, on August 5, 2003.

Throughout his high school years, Jim ran the newspaper distribution station for the South Bend Tribune. Jim joined the Army Air Force during World War II, spending 2 1/2 years in Foggie, Italy, with the 324th Bomb Group attached to the 15th Air Force. Jim was a 1949 graduate of Tri-State College (now Trine University) in Angola, Indiana, with Bachelor of Science degrees in both Business Administration and Accounting.

On March 18, 1948, Jim married Betty Lou Whitman in Angola, Indiana. She survives. Jim and his wife were RV dealers in South Bend, Indiana, and owners of Anderson Trailer Sales before moving to Cassopolis in 1957 where they owned Jim Ackerman Realty. Jim was an Indiana and Michigan licensed Real Estate Broker and licensed Real Estate Appraiser for the Veterans Administration. He was Past President of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers, South Bend, Indiana Chapter. As an airplane pilot who earned his license when he was 16 years old, Jim and his wife enjoyed many hours of flying. Mr. Ackerman was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and a 32nd degree member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of South Bend. He was a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge #889, Dowagiac. He was also a past member of the Cassopolis Lions Club, a past Vice President of the Cassopolis Chamber of Commerce and a member of the South Bend-Mishawaka Board of Realtors.

Jim will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Betty (Whitman) Ackerman of Cassopolis; two grandsons, Greg Lozier and Jeff (Sharon) Lozier, both of Texas; and two great-grandsons, Elie Lozier and Gabriel Lozier. Mr. Ackerman's family will observe a private remembrance.

The family prefers memorial contributions to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or message online: wagnercares.com. .Published in South Bend Tribune on Sept. 17, 2013

05/07/2022 EJS