Gerald I. "Jerry" Ackerman, 71, of Roscoe, formerly of Harvard, Illinois, died suddenly on Tuesday, December 17, 2013. He was born on December 13, 1942 in Belvidere, Illinois; the son of Irving William and Marjorie Catherine (Mott) Ackerman. Jerry graduated from Belvidere High School. He married Sandra R. Johnson in Rockford, Illinois on October 14, 1967. He was employed as a foreman for Com-Ed, retiring in 2000 and then later worked as a Project Manager for M.J. Electric. Jerry honorably served his country in the army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 295, a former member of the VFW Belvidere Post 1461 and the I.B.E.W. Union. Jerry was an avid sportsman, loved the outdoors, working in his yard, and spending time with his family. He could never sit still for a minute as he was always on the go. He is survived by his wife, Sandra, of Roscoe; three children, Andrea (Bill) Powers, Louisville KY; Gregory (Marcella) Ackerman, Walworth, WI and Aaron (Michelle) Ackerman, Woodstock, IL; five grandchildren, William Powers, 15, Alison Powers, 13, Mason Ackerman, 7, David Ackerman, 2, and Julia Ackerman, 1, a sister, Janet (Roger) Guetzkow. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents. He was a wonderful husband, father and friend to many and will be terribly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Salvation Army or St. Jude's Children's Hospital in his memory.