Obituary of Herma M. Hackney

Bedford Herma M. Hackney, passed away Saturday, September 20, 2014, after a lengthy illness. Born in Bremen-Blumenthal, Germany, on February 28, 1928, Herma was educated in Germany. She was the only child of Hermann and Martha Wittstock. Herma was 11 years old when WW II started. The Weser River which is a major transport artery in Germany ran through Hermas hometown of Blumenthal and was bombed repeatedly during WW II due to the number of shipyards located along the river. Because of the repeated bombing, Herma and many other children in the area were sent away to southern Germany to ensure their safety. Hermas uncle, a German citizen living near the Bremen-Blumenthal area, was a spy for the British army and was actually captured and later killed for giving the coordinates of the U-Boat factory along the Weser River to the British so that it could be bombed and destroyed. Immediately after the war, Herma, when she was 18 years old, went to work for the Americans and served as an interpreter where she met her late husband, William B. Hackney. They married and settled in Bedford, which was Williams hometown. Herma is survived by her three children, William Hackney (spouse Kathy Hackney) and Ken Hackney (spouse Cathy Hackney) of Bedford, and Vickie Chamberlain (spouse Bill Chamberlain) of Greenwood, Indiana. She has six grandchildren: William Hackney (deceased), Beverly Freitag, Kristy Carmichael, JoAnna Cobb, Lauren Chamberlain and Allison Chamberlain, one great grandchild, Katirena Freitag. Funeral Information Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am on Thursday, September 25th in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Jeff Hudelson officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, September 24th at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Donations Information The family asks that friends consider memorial contributions be made to the Mt. Pleasant Christian Church.