John Lee Ackerman passed away Oct. 18, 2020 after an extended illness.

John was born May 9, 1948, in Warren, Ohio, grew up in Newton Falls, Ohio, where he and his family were active in the First Church of God.

He played varsity baseball at Newton Falls High School. After high school John joined the Air Force, serving in Florida, Germany, and Vietnam as a radio operator. He then entered Anderson College, where he received a BS in biology and graduated with the first class of nursing students in 1975. He later received a BS in Nursing from Marian College of Indianapolis.

John married Jodelle (Jodie) Gross in 1976. They have been blessed with two wonderful daughters, Jacqueline and Jessica. John's dream was to serve in medical missions, and that dream was realized in January 1986, when the family moved to Haiti to serve under Church of God Ministries. John served the Haitian people in the countryside where there was very little health care provision. During the 30 years the Ackermans lived in Haiti, they experienced political unrest, hurricanes, tropical disease, and the earthquake of 2010, as well as great beauty, fulfillment, and lasting friendships. John and Jodie returned to Indiana for retirement in 2016.

John is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jodelle Gross Ackerman; two daughters, Jacqueline Esther Ackerman and Jessica Lee Ackerman; brother, Dale Ackerman; and sister, Caroline Ackerman.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie Lee Ackerman and Mary Lyon Ackerman; sister, Ruth Eileen Ackerman; and sister, Thelma Lucille Ackerman.

Funeral services will be private, by Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service, with burial in East Maplewood Cemetery.

Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.