Veteran horseman John (Jack) Ackerman, the brother of Hall of Fame horseman Doug J. Ackerman and the uncle of Doug R. Ackerman, died at his home in Noblesville, Ind., on Saturday morning, July 4. He was 83.
Mr. Ackerman was well known as a trainer and driver of Standardbreds. Born into a family of horse lovers, he drove in his first race at the age of 13. Even while serving in World War II as an Air Force cryptographer he found time to attend the races in Casablanca.
Returning from overseas, Mr. Ackerman was able to do what he loved, working with horses. He was the winner of the U.S. Harness Writers' Drivers Championship, and named the nation's leading harness driver in 1957. At the advanced age of 80, every morning would find him at the Deland, Florida training facility, in the sulky helping train colts. Only his fight with cancer kept him away from the racetrack and the colts he treated as his children. Besides Doug J. and Doug R. Ackerman, Mr. Ackerman is survived by his wife of 61 years, Naomi; another brother, Charles; two daughters, Jacqueline Andrews and Bette; three granddaughters, Julia Andrews, Meghan Andrews, and Mellissa Santiano; and a great-granddaughter, Lanoria Santiano. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, at Randall & Roberts Funeral Home in Noblesville, with Pastor Brian White officiating. Friends may call Saturday from 1- 2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Crownland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to AseraCare Hospice, 3905 Vincennes Road, Ste 504, Indianapolis, Ind. 46268.
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