Neel B. Ackerman

Neel Burnett Ackerman, 83, of Harrisonburg, formerly of Springfield, Ga., passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011, at Oak Lea Nursing Home.

Mr. Ackerman was born on Oct. 9, 1928, in Savannah, Ga., and was a son of the late Lawrence Boswell and Lilly (Nease) Ackerman. He was very active in the Boy Scouts of America, and received his Eagle Scout. Mr. Ackerman graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Civil Engineering. He most recently worked for Braniger Corp. in Savannah, Ga. He also served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Ackerman was a longtime member of Springfield United Methodist Church in Springfield, Ga., prior to moving to Harrisonburg. He most recently attended Asbury United Methodist Church in Harrisonburg. He began singing barbershop music in Savannah with 13th Colony Sound. When he moved to Harrisonburg, he was a founding member of the Harrisonburg Harmonizers and was a member of the Shenandoah Valley Choral Society.

On Sept. 23, 1950, he married the former Barbara Bentley who survives.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Ackerman is survived by two sons, Dr. Neel B. Ackerman Jr., and wife, Martha, of Dallas, Texas, Thad L. Ackerman and wife, Sharon, of Townsend, Ga.; a daughter, Kathy Whitten and husband, Larry, of Harrisonburg; eight grandchildren, Adam Ackerman, Katie A. Rhamey and husband, Patrick, Thera J. Powell and husband, Jason, T.J. Ackerman, Tori W. Jackson and husband, Chris, Seth N. Whitten, Bryan B. Whitten, Scott L. Whitten and wife, Valerie; and three great-grandchildren, Brody Powell, Teaghan Powell and Trey Rhamey. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Ackerman; and two sisters, Ruth Hickman and Mary Elizabeth Ackerman.

A celebration of life service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday Oct. 16, 2011, in the Strite Auditorium of Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, with the Revs. Ben Burks and Kathleen Webster officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Springfield United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 237, Springfield, GA 31329; VMRC Good Samaritan Annual Fund, 1491 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22802; or to Harrisonburg Harmonizers, In care of Michael Calhoun, P.O. Box 309 Basye, VA 22810.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.kygers.com.

Arrangements entrusted to the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg, VA. (540) 434-1359.