Bonnie B.(Ebberson) Acker, 87, of Swansea, IL, born Wednesday, October 7, 1936, in Bokoshe, OK, passed away Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in Saint Louis, MO.
Bonnie worked as a bookkeeper for the Scotts Bluff County Clerk’s Office. Bonnie learned as a young woman how to care for others. Her father died suddenly when she was 14 years old. She took care of her siblings without fail while her mother managed to keep the bills paid. Bonnie married the love of her life James G. Acker, Feb 1957. To this union she had 4 step-children and bared 4 children of her own. She raised her children with the same care she did with her siblings. Everyone who knew her felt they were perfect humans regardless of what faults were apparent to others. She treated her step-children the same as her own; to her there was no step; they were all her children. She lost her youngest son Bill to cancer when he was 28 years old. Her other son Gary died of a heart attack in the next decade, then the following year her son Bob also died of a heart attack, followed by her husband Jim. Then several years later she lost her daughter, Karen Acker. While she was deeply devastated by these losses, she never lost her smile or her ability to express kind words for everyone. She has been known as Grandma Bonnie by so many people. She loved being a Grandma. She resided in IL for the past 14 years, and enjoyed her remaining years immensely. Her great friends Betty Powers, and Margaret King had many adventures together.
She was preceded in death by her:
Husband: James G. Acker, Parents: Wendell and Bess, (Gravatt) Ebberson, Sister, Vera Bonner
Sons: Gary Acker, Billy Acker, and Bob Acker: Daughter: Karen Acker and Grandson: Greg Bairn
Surviving are her: Children: Jaynie (Brian) Wells of IL, Donna (Bruce) Bennett of SD, Barb Williams of WY & Jim Acker of NE
Brother: Wendell “Punk” Ebberson of AZ
Sisters: Ruthie Lazott of OR, Betty (Keith) Hammock of AZ, Gail (Roland) McDonald of FL
Grandchildren: Tina (Buck) Romey of NE, Bryan Gregorich of IL, Elisa Gregorich of CO, Tiara (Andy) Nice, of SD, Craig (Josh Sheetz)Williams of WY, Mike (Melissa) Williams of WY, Aimee (Con) Lewis of WY, Wendy Zalesky of FL, Chris (Lisa) Acker of NE, Jenny Wiersma-Acker of WI, Eric (Emily) Acker of NE, Kimberly (Ryan) Ollinger of MN, Kristy (Paul Travis) Acker
Great-grandchildren: Tukker Romey & Breeana Romey of NE, Ryder Gregorich of IL, Zoey & Lilly Nice of SD just to name a few. Total there are 42 great grandchildren, and 14 Great-Great-Grandchildren
Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, and her best pal, Camelot
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of your choice,
Visitation: Visitation from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL.
1st Funeral: A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at Kurrus Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Stewart officiating.
2nd Funeral: A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00am, Saturday January 6, 2023 at Westway Christian Church with Pastor John Mulholland, Jr officiating. Interment at Gering Nebraska Cemetery.