SUFFOLK—Keith James Ackerman, 69, son of Arline Howard Ackerman and the late Chet Ackerman, died Dec. 17, at Obici Hospital.

Born Nov. 12, 1938 in Dearborn, Mich., Mr. Ackerman was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Chuckatuck.

A graduate of the University of Miami, he always loved his school.

He was a retired jeweler with Brady’s Jewel Box in Franklin. Keith enjoyed boating in his mint condition 1972 Century Resorter ski boat, RC cars and airplanes, and his 35th Anniversary Mustang convertible.

Survivors include his loving family, his wife Elsie Doughty Ackerman; daughter Kimberly Ackerman of Raleigh, N.C.; son Chester Ackerman of Tampa, Fla.; stepsons Ned, Brent and Mark Deaver, all of Portsmouth; grandchildren, Emily and Clara West of Raleigh and Spencer Deaver of Portsmouth.

A memorial service will be conducted by the Revs. Charles Robinson and Ernest Graham at 4 p.m. Friday at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 828 Kings Hwy., Suffolk.

A reception will immediately follow at the church social hall. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Keith’s memory to the Friends of the Portsmouth Public

Library, Churchland Library Furnishings Fund, P.O. Box 1296., Portsmouth, VA 23705, (www.friendsofportsmouthlibrary.org

) or the American Lung Association Research Fund/COPD, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006 (www.lungusa.org

).

Arrangements are under the care of Baker-Foster Funeral Home, Bennetts Creek Chapel, Suffolk.

Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com