June LaVerne Ackermann
22 August 1926 - 20 August 2020
June LaVerne Ackermann went to her final rest on Thursday 20 August 2020 at 93 years of age - just two days before her 94th birthday. June, the youngest of four children of Raymond and Ethel Goff, was born on 22 August 1926 in Warren OH - a 16 square mile town in NE Ohio about 15 miles west of the Pennsylvania border with a population of about 40,000.
June's siblings Dorothy, Ray Jr (Bud), and Robert (Bobby) were 9, 7, and 2 years old when she was born. June said it was common for kids to belong to clubs; June's brother Bobby belonged to the "Dauber" club. June wasn't sure what that was, but she said she had her own club - the "BBD" Club, and she didn't know what that meant either! June loved to play marbles with Bobby though he usually wouldn't play with her; he would often say "go home, June" and later the Dauber Club members would later tell her "go home, June." June loved Bobby immensely, had a special bond with him, described him as a "sweetheart", and later named her son after him; she recounted that her son Bob looked like her brother when he was young.
June remembers being poor; there were no school lunches, and women didn't work until after World War II. June said they generally walked where they went and rarely took the bus. Sometimes June would come home from school and there was no food - or maybe only one can of vegetable soup, and she wasn't sure where that came from. Her brother Bud was still at home then and would stand in line to get Government rationed flour for June's mom to make her good homemade bread.
June was very good friends with Shirley Miller at Laird Avenue Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary and Shirley Gee at East Avenue Junior High and Warren G Harding High School. June was very close to the two Shirleys, so she named her first child after them. She named her second child Jacqueline after her school friend Jackie Rodkey. June graduated with her class of 272 from Warren G Harding High School in the class of 1944.
After graduation, June began working at Lordstown Ordnance Depot. The Depot was responsible for transportation, storage, reconditioning and redistribution of equipment, material and supplies in support World War II. June began her work there as a mail clerk - delivering mail throughout the organization. June made about $35 every 2 weeks and from that gave her mother $20; at the time she was her mother's sole support.
June had fond memories of music in her household. Her father Ray and her brother Bud were both accomplished trumpet players and played professionally. Her father played with Gilliland's Orchestra in Chautauqua NY for three summers; he also organized and conducted "Ray Goff's Hungarian Gypsy Orchestra" in Pittsburg. Her brother played in bands all his life and in the orchestra on Sunday afternoons in Warren OH. He played with a number of groups, including the Warren VFW Military Band, the Teddy Phillips Band in Chicago, Kenley Players Orchestra, and Don Dunham Orchestra. He also conducted and arranged music for the Army Band at Camp Wolters TX. Though June never heard her dad perform professionally with the "Goff" Band, she would often tap dance or "shuffle" her feet to the music upstairs while the band practiced downstairs in the two-story Belle Street home. She also recounted how they had to be quiet while her brother Bud slept during the day because he'd been out playing in an orchestra at night.
June remembers how she first heard about husband-to-be Doug Ackermann. She was on double date with Jim Blackburn and Ella Newhouse, and Jim said he knew someone she might like and later introduced Doug to June. Doug was serving in the U.S. Army at Camp Reynolds getting ready to go overseas; and, he would hitchhike about 18 miles from Sharon PA to Warren OH to see June. Doug had been drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1944 a few months after his graduation from San Antonio's Harlandale High School. He kissed her on the cheek on that first date and the "happily ever after" was started.
Following his overseas assignment, Doug came home to Texas to separate from the military. His intent had been to return to Ohio for June but once in Texas he didn't want to leave. He asked June to come to San Antonio. She let him know her mother wouldn't approve of that - to which he responded, "But we'll be married." That was his announcement of their engagement. They were married on 10 September 1945.
June and Doug were married for over 65 years - an exemplary life of love and devotion. She worked alongside Doug and son Bob in the family business "D&R Electric" - making appointments, keeping the books, and dealing with other administrative issues for the approximately 27 years the business operated. She always referred to Doug as "My Honey." Her devotion to Doug was absolute, she would not leave his side for the last 13 years of his life as he progressed with Parkinson's - until his passing in their home in 2010 at 85 years of age. In her final years, she would say she was ready to go to sleep and be with her Honey (in the Mission Park Dominion Cemetery).
June was the Cradle Roll (birth to 4 years) leader in the Laurel Heights SDA church for over 50 years - teaching, molding, influencing, caring for, and loving children, their children, and their children's children. For years, she planned and conducted the daily Cradle Roll Division activities for the nine-day summer Texas Camp Meetings - packing her three children and program supplies into their VW for the 250 mile trip from San Antonio to Keene TX. June also conducted many Sabbath School workshops to train other leaders in the Texas Conference of SDAs. June also directed a number of Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) over the years. One in particular, for which she was recruited in 1962, was at a Spanish SDA Church in San Antonio. This particular church had experienced a lot of vandalism by local kids - until June, with her helpers, conducted the VBS. The local kids were so moved by the VBS they approached the pastor and told him he no longer had to worry about vandalism at the church. Her influence is so far-reaching as to be incalculable. Only in the day of reckoning, when God calls His children Home will the fruits of June's efforts be made known.
June was indefatigable. She began jogging in her 50s, did a number of 10K runs, and has a 1st Place Trophy from 1978; she placed 2nd in her age group in the 1979 Diet Pepsi 10K race; and, she placed 1st in a Longview WA "Year to Year Run" 1989-1990. She loved to walk and hike; she was competitive and always a step ahead. That spirit stayed with her throughout her life. At 87 plus years of age, she strongly pulled her physical therapist around the therapy room as he sat and rolled behind her in a wheeled office chair. She was indomitable. Her limits were not defined; she pushed beyond them.
June had a magnetic personality, razor sharp wit, terrific sense of humor, and she was loved by everyone who knew her. To meet her was to like her, to know her was to love her, and to know her well was to love her deeply. She loved table games with her family and friends; however, she was fiercely competitive. She especially loved to play "Forty-two" and "Mexican Train" dominoes games. June was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs.
June was a devout Christian, a diligent Bible student and a shining example of selfless caring and giving - in word and deed. Though small in stature, she was a giant pillar in her family, church, and community. Her roots in the SDA Church span over 83 years. Responding to a flyer left on their front door, June attended evangelistic meetings conducted by Evangelist Marion A. Bourdeau in May 1937 (June was 10); following the meetings, she and her mother Ethel were baptized into the Church.
June was a consummate caregiver - caring for others without thought or concern for herself. She brought Thekla Ackermann (husband Doug's mother) - "Little Grandma" or "Big Grandma" as family variously called her, into her home and cared for her for the last 12 years of her life until her passing in 1984 at over 100 years of age. At the same time, June also babysat for Heidi (while Shirley worked) from three months of age until Heidi started school. She also babysat for numerous other children. All the while, she was helping administer details for D&R Electric.
June loved being surrounded by family and close friends. She especially loved having her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren visit. June was a very special lady who will be remembered for her dedication, kindness, tenacity, generosity, devotion to family, faith, and love of her Lord. She was inspiring to all who met her and throughout her life was the perfect example of Christian character.
June grew up in the depression with no bedroom of her own. Doug built their first home on Davis Street (now Harlan) on the south side of San Antonio where Shirley and Jackie were born. In the early 1950s, they moved to a home near St Mary's University where Bob was born. In the early 1960s, Doug and June moved to a beautiful 3-acre site on Oakland Road in San Antonio. June used to say they bought the oak tree and the house came with it; the sprawling oak tree and the concrete picnic table under it was the focal point of the property. This was the site of many happy occasions - including Jackie's and Bob's weddings, many church socials, extended family Easter breakfasts / egg hunts, and countless tree-climbing sessions with numerous family and friends' children. Doug kept the property meticulous, and June kept it full of life and happy memories of family and friends too numerous to count. In 2006, she and Doug downsized to a lovely home on Lost Holly in San Antonio where she lived until she moved to her Independent Living Apartment at Waterford on Huebner in early 2018 - a place she said was "too nice" for her. Ultimately, Waterford residents and employees were brightened by her presence. June has now gone to sleep peacefully in the arms of Jesus and her next home will be a large mansion on a street of gold alongside saints like herself where she will hear the words "Well done, thou good and faithful servant…"
June is preceded in death by her parents Raymond Brandon Goff Sr and Ethel Marie West Goff; husband of over 65 years Douglas Charles Ackermann; step-brother Albert Thomas Goff; sister Dorothy Irene Goff Pollock; and brothers Raymond Brandon (Bud) Goff Jr and Robert (Bobby) Curtis Goff.
June is survived by daughters Shirley Jean Beers (deWayne) and Jacqueline Hamm; son Robert Douglas Arckermann (Marsha); grandchildren Heidi Bergstrom (Ryan), Vanessa Hamm, Austin Hamm (Moumita), Cody Ackermann (Nisha), Amanda Ackermann, and Melissa Ripps (Weston); and 11 great-grandchildren. June leaves behind numerous other loving family members and many dear friend
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS:
June Ackermann had a special place in her heart, and in her systematic giving plan, for the new building project at her church - the Fil-Am International SDA Church
In lieu of flowers for June Ackermann, please contribute to the Fil-Am International SDA Church Building Fund; you can do so online - at https://new.filamsda.org/main - or you can mail a contribution to:
Fil-Am International SDA Church
Attn: Building Fund
9190 Abe Lincoln
San Antonio, TX 78240
(210) 877-2559 | [email protected]
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of June LaVerne Ackermann please visit our Sympathy Store.
22 August 1926 - 20 August 2020
June LaVerne Ackermann went to her final rest on Thursday 20 August 2020 at 93 years of age - just two days before her 94th birthday. June, the youngest of four children of Raymond and Ethel Goff, was born on 22 August 1926 in Warren OH - a 16 square mile town in NE Ohio about 15 miles west of the Pennsylvania border with a population of about 40,000.
June's siblings Dorothy, Ray Jr (Bud), and Robert (Bobby) were 9, 7, and 2 years old when she was born. June said it was common for kids to belong to clubs; June's brother Bobby belonged to the "Dauber" club. June wasn't sure what that was, but she said she had her own club - the "BBD" Club, and she didn't know what that meant either! June loved to play marbles with Bobby though he usually wouldn't play with her; he would often say "go home, June" and later the Dauber Club members would later tell her "go home, June." June loved Bobby immensely, had a special bond with him, described him as a "sweetheart", and later named her son after him; she recounted that her son Bob looked like her brother when he was young.
June remembers being poor; there were no school lunches, and women didn't work until after World War II. June said they generally walked where they went and rarely took the bus. Sometimes June would come home from school and there was no food - or maybe only one can of vegetable soup, and she wasn't sure where that came from. Her brother Bud was still at home then and would stand in line to get Government rationed flour for June's mom to make her good homemade bread.
June was very good friends with Shirley Miller at Laird Avenue Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary and Shirley Gee at East Avenue Junior High and Warren G Harding High School. June was very close to the two Shirleys, so she named her first child after them. She named her second child Jacqueline after her school friend Jackie Rodkey. June graduated with her class of 272 from Warren G Harding High School in the class of 1944.
After graduation, June began working at Lordstown Ordnance Depot. The Depot was responsible for transportation, storage, reconditioning and redistribution of equipment, material and supplies in support World War II. June began her work there as a mail clerk - delivering mail throughout the organization. June made about $35 every 2 weeks and from that gave her mother $20; at the time she was her mother's sole support.
June had fond memories of music in her household. Her father Ray and her brother Bud were both accomplished trumpet players and played professionally. Her father played with Gilliland's Orchestra in Chautauqua NY for three summers; he also organized and conducted "Ray Goff's Hungarian Gypsy Orchestra" in Pittsburg. Her brother played in bands all his life and in the orchestra on Sunday afternoons in Warren OH. He played with a number of groups, including the Warren VFW Military Band, the Teddy Phillips Band in Chicago, Kenley Players Orchestra, and Don Dunham Orchestra. He also conducted and arranged music for the Army Band at Camp Wolters TX. Though June never heard her dad perform professionally with the "Goff" Band, she would often tap dance or "shuffle" her feet to the music upstairs while the band practiced downstairs in the two-story Belle Street home. She also recounted how they had to be quiet while her brother Bud slept during the day because he'd been out playing in an orchestra at night.
June remembers how she first heard about husband-to-be Doug Ackermann. She was on double date with Jim Blackburn and Ella Newhouse, and Jim said he knew someone she might like and later introduced Doug to June. Doug was serving in the U.S. Army at Camp Reynolds getting ready to go overseas; and, he would hitchhike about 18 miles from Sharon PA to Warren OH to see June. Doug had been drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1944 a few months after his graduation from San Antonio's Harlandale High School. He kissed her on the cheek on that first date and the "happily ever after" was started.
Following his overseas assignment, Doug came home to Texas to separate from the military. His intent had been to return to Ohio for June but once in Texas he didn't want to leave. He asked June to come to San Antonio. She let him know her mother wouldn't approve of that - to which he responded, "But we'll be married." That was his announcement of their engagement. They were married on 10 September 1945.
June and Doug were married for over 65 years - an exemplary life of love and devotion. She worked alongside Doug and son Bob in the family business "D&R Electric" - making appointments, keeping the books, and dealing with other administrative issues for the approximately 27 years the business operated. She always referred to Doug as "My Honey." Her devotion to Doug was absolute, she would not leave his side for the last 13 years of his life as he progressed with Parkinson's - until his passing in their home in 2010 at 85 years of age. In her final years, she would say she was ready to go to sleep and be with her Honey (in the Mission Park Dominion Cemetery).
June was the Cradle Roll (birth to 4 years) leader in the Laurel Heights SDA church for over 50 years - teaching, molding, influencing, caring for, and loving children, their children, and their children's children. For years, she planned and conducted the daily Cradle Roll Division activities for the nine-day summer Texas Camp Meetings - packing her three children and program supplies into their VW for the 250 mile trip from San Antonio to Keene TX. June also conducted many Sabbath School workshops to train other leaders in the Texas Conference of SDAs. June also directed a number of Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) over the years. One in particular, for which she was recruited in 1962, was at a Spanish SDA Church in San Antonio. This particular church had experienced a lot of vandalism by local kids - until June, with her helpers, conducted the VBS. The local kids were so moved by the VBS they approached the pastor and told him he no longer had to worry about vandalism at the church. Her influence is so far-reaching as to be incalculable. Only in the day of reckoning, when God calls His children Home will the fruits of June's efforts be made known.
June was indefatigable. She began jogging in her 50s, did a number of 10K runs, and has a 1st Place Trophy from 1978; she placed 2nd in her age group in the 1979 Diet Pepsi 10K race; and, she placed 1st in a Longview WA "Year to Year Run" 1989-1990. She loved to walk and hike; she was competitive and always a step ahead. That spirit stayed with her throughout her life. At 87 plus years of age, she strongly pulled her physical therapist around the therapy room as he sat and rolled behind her in a wheeled office chair. She was indomitable. Her limits were not defined; she pushed beyond them.
June had a magnetic personality, razor sharp wit, terrific sense of humor, and she was loved by everyone who knew her. To meet her was to like her, to know her was to love her, and to know her well was to love her deeply. She loved table games with her family and friends; however, she was fiercely competitive. She especially loved to play "Forty-two" and "Mexican Train" dominoes games. June was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs.
June was a devout Christian, a diligent Bible student and a shining example of selfless caring and giving - in word and deed. Though small in stature, she was a giant pillar in her family, church, and community. Her roots in the SDA Church span over 83 years. Responding to a flyer left on their front door, June attended evangelistic meetings conducted by Evangelist Marion A. Bourdeau in May 1937 (June was 10); following the meetings, she and her mother Ethel were baptized into the Church.
June was a consummate caregiver - caring for others without thought or concern for herself. She brought Thekla Ackermann (husband Doug's mother) - "Little Grandma" or "Big Grandma" as family variously called her, into her home and cared for her for the last 12 years of her life until her passing in 1984 at over 100 years of age. At the same time, June also babysat for Heidi (while Shirley worked) from three months of age until Heidi started school. She also babysat for numerous other children. All the while, she was helping administer details for D&R Electric.
June loved being surrounded by family and close friends. She especially loved having her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren visit. June was a very special lady who will be remembered for her dedication, kindness, tenacity, generosity, devotion to family, faith, and love of her Lord. She was inspiring to all who met her and throughout her life was the perfect example of Christian character.
June grew up in the depression with no bedroom of her own. Doug built their first home on Davis Street (now Harlan) on the south side of San Antonio where Shirley and Jackie were born. In the early 1950s, they moved to a home near St Mary's University where Bob was born. In the early 1960s, Doug and June moved to a beautiful 3-acre site on Oakland Road in San Antonio. June used to say they bought the oak tree and the house came with it; the sprawling oak tree and the concrete picnic table under it was the focal point of the property. This was the site of many happy occasions - including Jackie's and Bob's weddings, many church socials, extended family Easter breakfasts / egg hunts, and countless tree-climbing sessions with numerous family and friends' children. Doug kept the property meticulous, and June kept it full of life and happy memories of family and friends too numerous to count. In 2006, she and Doug downsized to a lovely home on Lost Holly in San Antonio where she lived until she moved to her Independent Living Apartment at Waterford on Huebner in early 2018 - a place she said was "too nice" for her. Ultimately, Waterford residents and employees were brightened by her presence. June has now gone to sleep peacefully in the arms of Jesus and her next home will be a large mansion on a street of gold alongside saints like herself where she will hear the words "Well done, thou good and faithful servant…"
June is preceded in death by her parents Raymond Brandon Goff Sr and Ethel Marie West Goff; husband of over 65 years Douglas Charles Ackermann; step-brother Albert Thomas Goff; sister Dorothy Irene Goff Pollock; and brothers Raymond Brandon (Bud) Goff Jr and Robert (Bobby) Curtis Goff.
June is survived by daughters Shirley Jean Beers (deWayne) and Jacqueline Hamm; son Robert Douglas Arckermann (Marsha); grandchildren Heidi Bergstrom (Ryan), Vanessa Hamm, Austin Hamm (Moumita), Cody Ackermann (Nisha), Amanda Ackermann, and Melissa Ripps (Weston); and 11 great-grandchildren. June leaves behind numerous other loving family members and many dear friend
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS:
June Ackermann had a special place in her heart, and in her systematic giving plan, for the new building project at her church - the Fil-Am International SDA Church
In lieu of flowers for June Ackermann, please contribute to the Fil-Am International SDA Church Building Fund; you can do so online - at https://new.filamsda.org/main - or you can mail a contribution to:
Fil-Am International SDA Church
Attn: Building Fund
9190 Abe Lincoln
San Antonio, TX 78240
(210) 877-2559 | [email protected]
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of June LaVerne Ackermann please visit our Sympathy Store.
June LaVerne Ackermann
22 August 1926 - 20 August 2020
June LaVerne Ackermann went to her final rest on Thursday 20 August 2020 at 93 years of age - just two days before her 94th birthday. June, the youngest of four children of Raymond and Ethel Goff, was born on 22 August 1926 in Warren OH - a 16 square mile town in NE Ohio about 15 miles west of the Pennsylvania border with a population of about 40,000.
June's siblings Dorothy, Ray Jr (Bud), and Robert (Bobby) were 9, 7, and 2 years old when she was born. June said it was common for kids to belong to clubs; June's brother Bobby belonged to the "Dauber" club. June wasn't sure what that was, but she said she had her own club - the "BBD" Club, and she didn't know what that meant either! June loved to play marbles with Bobby though he usually wouldn't play with her; he would often say "go home, June" and later the Dauber Club members would later tell her "go home, June." June loved Bobby immensely, had a special bond with him, described him as a "sweetheart", and later named her son after him; she recounted that her son Bob looked like her brother when he was young.
June remembers being poor; there were no school lunches, and women didn't work until after World War II. June said they generally walked where they went and rarely took the bus. Sometimes June would come home from school and there was no food - or maybe only one can of vegetable soup, and she wasn't sure where that came from. Her brother Bud was still at home then and would stand in line to get Government rationed flour for June's mom to make her good homemade bread.
June was very good friends with Shirley Miller at Laird Avenue Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary and Shirley Gee at East Avenue Junior High and Warren G Harding High School. June was very close to the two Shirleys, so she named her first child after them. She named her second child Jacqueline after her school friend Jackie Rodkey. June graduated with her class of 272 from Warren G Harding High School in the class of 1944.
After graduation, June began working at Lordstown Ordnance Depot. The Depot was responsible for transportation, storage, reconditioning and redistribution of equipment, material and supplies in support World War II. June began her work there as a mail clerk - delivering mail throughout the organization. June made about $35 every 2 weeks and from that gave her mother $20; at the time she was her mother's sole support.
June had fond memories of music in her household. Her father Ray and her brother Bud were both accomplished trumpet players and played professionally. Her father played with Gilliland's Orchestra in Chautauqua NY for three summers; he also organized and conducted "Ray Goff's Hungarian Gypsy Orchestra" in Pittsburg. Her brother played in bands all his life and in the orchestra on Sunday afternoons in Warren OH. He played with a number of groups, including the Warren VFW Military Band, the Teddy Phillips Band in Chicago, Kenley Players Orchestra, and Don Dunham Orchestra. He also conducted and arranged music for the Army Band at Camp Wolters TX. Though June never heard her dad perform professionally with the "Goff" Band, she would often tap dance or "shuffle" her feet to the music upstairs while the band practiced downstairs in the two-story Belle Street home. She also recounted how they had to be quiet while her brother Bud slept during the day because he'd been out playing in an orchestra at night.
June remembers how she first heard about husband-to-be Doug Ackermann. She was on double date with Jim Blackburn and Ella Newhouse, and Jim said he knew someone she might like and later introduced Doug to June. Doug was serving in the U.S. Army at Camp Reynolds getting ready to go overseas; and, he would hitchhike about 18 miles from Sharon PA to Warren OH to see June. Doug had been drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1944 a few months after his graduation from San Antonio's Harlandale High School. He kissed her on the cheek on that first date and the "happily ever after" was started.
Following his overseas assignment, Doug came home to Texas to separate from the military. His intent had been to return to Ohio for June but once in Texas he didn't want to leave. He asked June to come to San Antonio. She let him know her mother wouldn't approve of that - to which he responded, "But we'll be married." That was his announcement of their engagement. They were married on 10 September 1945.
June and Doug were married for over 65 years - an exemplary life of love and devotion. She worked alongside Doug and son Bob in the family business "D&R Electric" - making appointments, keeping the books, and dealing with other administrative issues for the approximately 27 years the business operated. She always referred to Doug as "My Honey." Her devotion to Doug was absolute, she would not leave his side for the last 13 years of his life as he progressed with Parkinson's - until his passing in their home in 2010 at 85 years of age. In her final years, she would say she was ready to go to sleep and be with her Honey (in the Mission Park Dominion Cemetery).
June was the Cradle Roll (birth to 4 years) leader in the Laurel Heights SDA church for over 50 years - teaching, molding, influencing, caring for, and loving children, their children, and their children's children. For years, she planned and conducted the daily Cradle Roll Division activities for the nine-day summer Texas Camp Meetings - packing her three children and program supplies into their VW for the 250 mile trip from San Antonio to Keene TX. June also conducted many Sabbath School workshops to train other leaders in the Texas Conference of SDAs. June also directed a number of Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) over the years. One in particular, for which she was recruited in 1962, was at a Spanish SDA Church in San Antonio. This particular church had experienced a lot of vandalism by local kids - until June, with her helpers, conducted the VBS. The local kids were so moved by the VBS they approached the pastor and told him he no longer had to worry about vandalism at the church. Her influence is so far-reaching as to be incalculable. Only in the day of reckoning, when God calls His children Home will the fruits of June's efforts be made known.
June was indefatigable. She began jogging in her 50s, did a number of 10K runs, and has a 1st Place Trophy from 1978; she placed 2nd in her age group in the 1979 Diet Pepsi 10K race; and, she placed 1st in a Longview WA "Year to Year Run" 1989-1990. She loved to walk and hike; she was competitive and always a step ahead. That spirit stayed with her throughout her life. At 87 plus years of age, she strongly pulled her physical therapist around the therapy room as he sat and rolled behind her in a wheeled office chair. She was indomitable. Her limits were not defined; she pushed beyond them.
June had a magnetic personality, razor sharp wit, terrific sense of humor, and she was loved by everyone who knew her. To meet her was to like her, to know her was to love her, and to know her well was to love her deeply. She loved table games with her family and friends; however, she was fiercely competitive. She especially loved to play "Forty-two" and "Mexican Train" dominoes games. June was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs.
June was a devout Christian, a diligent Bible student and a shining example of selfless caring and giving - in word and deed. Though small in stature, she was a giant pillar in her family, church, and community. Her roots in the SDA Church span over 83 years. Responding to a flyer left on their front door, June attended evangelistic meetings conducted by Evangelist Marion A. Bourdeau in May 1937 (June was 10); following the meetings, she and her mother Ethel were baptized into the Church.
June was a consummate caregiver - caring for others without thought or concern for herself. She brought Thekla Ackermann (husband Doug's mother) - "Little Grandma" or "Big Grandma" as family variously called her, into her home and cared for her for the last 12 years of her life until her passing in 1984 at over 100 years of age. At the same time, June also babysat for Heidi (while Shirley worked) from three months of age until Heidi started school. She also babysat for numerous other children. All the while, she was helping administer details for D&R Electric.
June loved being surrounded by family and close friends. She especially loved having her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren visit. June was a very special lady who will be remembered for her dedication, kindness, tenacity, generosity, devotion to family, faith, and love of her Lord. She was inspiring to all who met her and throughout her life was the perfect example of Christian character.
June grew up in the depression with no bedroom of her own. Doug built their first home on Davis Street (now Harlan) on the south side of San Antonio where Shirley and Jackie were born. In the early 1950s, they moved to a home near St Mary's University where Bob was born. In the early 1960s, Doug and June moved to a beautiful 3-acre site on Oakland Road in San Antonio. June used to say they bought the oak tree and the house came with it; the sprawling oak tree and the concrete picnic table under it was the focal point of the property. This was the site of many happy occasions - including Jackie's and Bob's weddings, many church socials, extended family Easter breakfasts / egg hunts, and countless tree-climbing sessions with numerous family and friends' children. Doug kept the property meticulous, and June kept it full of life and happy memories of family and friends too numerous to count. In 2006, she and Doug downsized to a lovely home on Lost Holly in San Antonio where she lived until she moved to her Independent Living Apartment at Waterford on Huebner in early 2018 - a place she said was "too nice" for her. Ultimately, Waterford residents and employees were brightened by her presence. June has now gone to sleep peacefully in the arms of Jesus and her next home will be a large mansion on a street of gold alongside saints like herself where she will hear the words "Well done, thou good and faithful servant…"
June is preceded in death by her parents Raymond Brandon Goff Sr and Ethel Marie West Goff; husband of over 65 years Douglas Charles Ackermann; step-brother Albert Thomas Goff; sister Dorothy Irene Goff Pollock; and brothers Raymond Brandon (Bud) Goff Jr and Robert (Bobby) Curtis Goff.
June is survived by daughters Shirley Jean Beers (deWayne) and Jacqueline Hamm; son Robert Douglas Arckermann (Marsha); grandchildren Heidi Bergstrom (Ryan), Vanessa Hamm, Austin Hamm (Moumita), Cody Ackermann (Nisha), Amanda Ackermann, and Melissa Ripps (Weston); and 11 great-grandchildren. June leaves behind numerous other loving family members and many dear friend
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS:
June Ackermann had a special place in her heart, and in her systematic giving plan, for the new building project at her church - the Fil-Am International SDA Church
In lieu of flowers for June Ackermann, please contribute to the Fil-Am International SDA Church Building Fund; you can do so online - at https://new.filamsda.org/main - or you can mail a contribution to:
Fil-Am International SDA Church
Attn: Building Fund
9190 Abe Lincoln
San Antonio, TX 78240
(210) 877-2559 | [email protected]
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of June LaVerne Ackermann please visit our Sympathy Store.
22 August 1926 - 20 August 2020
June LaVerne Ackermann went to her final rest on Thursday 20 August 2020 at 93 years of age - just two days before her 94th birthday. June, the youngest of four children of Raymond and Ethel Goff, was born on 22 August 1926 in Warren OH - a 16 square mile town in NE Ohio about 15 miles west of the Pennsylvania border with a population of about 40,000.
June's siblings Dorothy, Ray Jr (Bud), and Robert (Bobby) were 9, 7, and 2 years old when she was born. June said it was common for kids to belong to clubs; June's brother Bobby belonged to the "Dauber" club. June wasn't sure what that was, but she said she had her own club - the "BBD" Club, and she didn't know what that meant either! June loved to play marbles with Bobby though he usually wouldn't play with her; he would often say "go home, June" and later the Dauber Club members would later tell her "go home, June." June loved Bobby immensely, had a special bond with him, described him as a "sweetheart", and later named her son after him; she recounted that her son Bob looked like her brother when he was young.
June remembers being poor; there were no school lunches, and women didn't work until after World War II. June said they generally walked where they went and rarely took the bus. Sometimes June would come home from school and there was no food - or maybe only one can of vegetable soup, and she wasn't sure where that came from. Her brother Bud was still at home then and would stand in line to get Government rationed flour for June's mom to make her good homemade bread.
June was very good friends with Shirley Miller at Laird Avenue Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary and Shirley Gee at East Avenue Junior High and Warren G Harding High School. June was very close to the two Shirleys, so she named her first child after them. She named her second child Jacqueline after her school friend Jackie Rodkey. June graduated with her class of 272 from Warren G Harding High School in the class of 1944.
After graduation, June began working at Lordstown Ordnance Depot. The Depot was responsible for transportation, storage, reconditioning and redistribution of equipment, material and supplies in support World War II. June began her work there as a mail clerk - delivering mail throughout the organization. June made about $35 every 2 weeks and from that gave her mother $20; at the time she was her mother's sole support.
June had fond memories of music in her household. Her father Ray and her brother Bud were both accomplished trumpet players and played professionally. Her father played with Gilliland's Orchestra in Chautauqua NY for three summers; he also organized and conducted "Ray Goff's Hungarian Gypsy Orchestra" in Pittsburg. Her brother played in bands all his life and in the orchestra on Sunday afternoons in Warren OH. He played with a number of groups, including the Warren VFW Military Band, the Teddy Phillips Band in Chicago, Kenley Players Orchestra, and Don Dunham Orchestra. He also conducted and arranged music for the Army Band at Camp Wolters TX. Though June never heard her dad perform professionally with the "Goff" Band, she would often tap dance or "shuffle" her feet to the music upstairs while the band practiced downstairs in the two-story Belle Street home. She also recounted how they had to be quiet while her brother Bud slept during the day because he'd been out playing in an orchestra at night.
June remembers how she first heard about husband-to-be Doug Ackermann. She was on double date with Jim Blackburn and Ella Newhouse, and Jim said he knew someone she might like and later introduced Doug to June. Doug was serving in the U.S. Army at Camp Reynolds getting ready to go overseas; and, he would hitchhike about 18 miles from Sharon PA to Warren OH to see June. Doug had been drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1944 a few months after his graduation from San Antonio's Harlandale High School. He kissed her on the cheek on that first date and the "happily ever after" was started.
Following his overseas assignment, Doug came home to Texas to separate from the military. His intent had been to return to Ohio for June but once in Texas he didn't want to leave. He asked June to come to San Antonio. She let him know her mother wouldn't approve of that - to which he responded, "But we'll be married." That was his announcement of their engagement. They were married on 10 September 1945.
June and Doug were married for over 65 years - an exemplary life of love and devotion. She worked alongside Doug and son Bob in the family business "D&R Electric" - making appointments, keeping the books, and dealing with other administrative issues for the approximately 27 years the business operated. She always referred to Doug as "My Honey." Her devotion to Doug was absolute, she would not leave his side for the last 13 years of his life as he progressed with Parkinson's - until his passing in their home in 2010 at 85 years of age. In her final years, she would say she was ready to go to sleep and be with her Honey (in the Mission Park Dominion Cemetery).
June was the Cradle Roll (birth to 4 years) leader in the Laurel Heights SDA church for over 50 years - teaching, molding, influencing, caring for, and loving children, their children, and their children's children. For years, she planned and conducted the daily Cradle Roll Division activities for the nine-day summer Texas Camp Meetings - packing her three children and program supplies into their VW for the 250 mile trip from San Antonio to Keene TX. June also conducted many Sabbath School workshops to train other leaders in the Texas Conference of SDAs. June also directed a number of Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) over the years. One in particular, for which she was recruited in 1962, was at a Spanish SDA Church in San Antonio. This particular church had experienced a lot of vandalism by local kids - until June, with her helpers, conducted the VBS. The local kids were so moved by the VBS they approached the pastor and told him he no longer had to worry about vandalism at the church. Her influence is so far-reaching as to be incalculable. Only in the day of reckoning, when God calls His children Home will the fruits of June's efforts be made known.
June was indefatigable. She began jogging in her 50s, did a number of 10K runs, and has a 1st Place Trophy from 1978; she placed 2nd in her age group in the 1979 Diet Pepsi 10K race; and, she placed 1st in a Longview WA "Year to Year Run" 1989-1990. She loved to walk and hike; she was competitive and always a step ahead. That spirit stayed with her throughout her life. At 87 plus years of age, she strongly pulled her physical therapist around the therapy room as he sat and rolled behind her in a wheeled office chair. She was indomitable. Her limits were not defined; she pushed beyond them.
June had a magnetic personality, razor sharp wit, terrific sense of humor, and she was loved by everyone who knew her. To meet her was to like her, to know her was to love her, and to know her well was to love her deeply. She loved table games with her family and friends; however, she was fiercely competitive. She especially loved to play "Forty-two" and "Mexican Train" dominoes games. June was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs.
June was a devout Christian, a diligent Bible student and a shining example of selfless caring and giving - in word and deed. Though small in stature, she was a giant pillar in her family, church, and community. Her roots in the SDA Church span over 83 years. Responding to a flyer left on their front door, June attended evangelistic meetings conducted by Evangelist Marion A. Bourdeau in May 1937 (June was 10); following the meetings, she and her mother Ethel were baptized into the Church.
June was a consummate caregiver - caring for others without thought or concern for herself. She brought Thekla Ackermann (husband Doug's mother) - "Little Grandma" or "Big Grandma" as family variously called her, into her home and cared for her for the last 12 years of her life until her passing in 1984 at over 100 years of age. At the same time, June also babysat for Heidi (while Shirley worked) from three months of age until Heidi started school. She also babysat for numerous other children. All the while, she was helping administer details for D&R Electric.
June loved being surrounded by family and close friends. She especially loved having her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren visit. June was a very special lady who will be remembered for her dedication, kindness, tenacity, generosity, devotion to family, faith, and love of her Lord. She was inspiring to all who met her and throughout her life was the perfect example of Christian character.
June grew up in the depression with no bedroom of her own. Doug built their first home on Davis Street (now Harlan) on the south side of San Antonio where Shirley and Jackie were born. In the early 1950s, they moved to a home near St Mary's University where Bob was born. In the early 1960s, Doug and June moved to a beautiful 3-acre site on Oakland Road in San Antonio. June used to say they bought the oak tree and the house came with it; the sprawling oak tree and the concrete picnic table under it was the focal point of the property. This was the site of many happy occasions - including Jackie's and Bob's weddings, many church socials, extended family Easter breakfasts / egg hunts, and countless tree-climbing sessions with numerous family and friends' children. Doug kept the property meticulous, and June kept it full of life and happy memories of family and friends too numerous to count. In 2006, she and Doug downsized to a lovely home on Lost Holly in San Antonio where she lived until she moved to her Independent Living Apartment at Waterford on Huebner in early 2018 - a place she said was "too nice" for her. Ultimately, Waterford residents and employees were brightened by her presence. June has now gone to sleep peacefully in the arms of Jesus and her next home will be a large mansion on a street of gold alongside saints like herself where she will hear the words "Well done, thou good and faithful servant…"
June is preceded in death by her parents Raymond Brandon Goff Sr and Ethel Marie West Goff; husband of over 65 years Douglas Charles Ackermann; step-brother Albert Thomas Goff; sister Dorothy Irene Goff Pollock; and brothers Raymond Brandon (Bud) Goff Jr and Robert (Bobby) Curtis Goff.
June is survived by daughters Shirley Jean Beers (deWayne) and Jacqueline Hamm; son Robert Douglas Arckermann (Marsha); grandchildren Heidi Bergstrom (Ryan), Vanessa Hamm, Austin Hamm (Moumita), Cody Ackermann (Nisha), Amanda Ackermann, and Melissa Ripps (Weston); and 11 great-grandchildren. June leaves behind numerous other loving family members and many dear friend
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS:
June Ackermann had a special place in her heart, and in her systematic giving plan, for the new building project at her church - the Fil-Am International SDA Church
In lieu of flowers for June Ackermann, please contribute to the Fil-Am International SDA Church Building Fund; you can do so online - at https://new.filamsda.org/main - or you can mail a contribution to:
Fil-Am International SDA Church
Attn: Building Fund
9190 Abe Lincoln
San Antonio, TX 78240
(210) 877-2559 | [email protected]
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