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Reverend Martin L. Acker
The Reverend Martin L. Acker died Thursday, November 5, at Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg. Martin was born on August 3, 1932, to the late Reverend E. Richard Acker and the late Mrs. Margurite G. (Glace) Acker in Palmerton, where his father was pastor of the Lutheran Church. He celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary on June 27th this year with his wife, Irene E. (Feldt) Acker, and two sons, Paul Matthew Acker and Martin Luther Acker. He was preceded in death by one brother; Richard T. Acker. He graduated from Schuylkill Haven High School in 1950. He graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1954 and the Mount Airy Lutheran Seminary, Philadelphia in 1957. He served as a student assistant minister in Souderton and Bethlehem from 1954 to 1956, while at the same time serving as a weekend chaplain to Lutheran students at Leigh University. While still in his senior year at Philadelphia Lutheran Seminary, he was called by the Board of American Missions of the United Lutheran Church of America to develop a mission congregation in King of Prussia. In 1961 this congregation, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, began worshiping in a new building. By 1964 the church had more that 700 baptized members. In February 1964, he was called to be the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Olney, Philadelphia. He succeeded the Reverend Bela Shetlock, who had served the Zion congregation for 42 years. Under Pastor Acker’s leadership the church erected on of the finest and highly acclaimed parish buildings in the country at the cost of $400,000. Pastor Acker was installed as Pastor of Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church on June 30, 1968. Several capital improvement projects were accomplished during his 29 year stay in Pottstown. These include the building of Dr. Luther A. Krouse Chapel, the building of the parking lot and the covered entryway to the church. The library was established, the Bell Tower rebuilt, the sanctuary was totally refurbished and a new Shantz organ was installed while retaining the pipes from the last two organs. Again, he was also active in the community. He served on the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Clinic. He was secretary and president at different times of the Ministerial Group of Pottstown. While at Emmanuel, Reverend Acker preformed 931 baptisms, had 586 Confirmands, and installed 984 new members, had 472 weddings and 835 funerals. Pastor Acker retired from Emmanuel in April of 1997. In his retirement he served as Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Scotrun. He served five years and retired in 2003. Martin loved all sports and in the late 1950’s he was the Allentown Public Parks Tennis Champion in singles and doubles. He also enjoyed swimming, camping, boating and skiing with his family from his home in the Pocono’s at Paradise Falls Lutheran Association. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 14, 2009 from Emmanuel Lutheran Church,150 North Hanover Street, Pottstown. Officiating will be Reverend Burlington Latshaw III. Burial will be private in Ridge Valley Cemetery, Bucks Co. Relatives and friends may call Saturday at the church from 10:30 until 11:00 am. Arrangements are by the Schumacher & Benner Funeral Home & Crematory, at 359 King St. in Pottstown, PA. This obituary was published in the following newspapers: Mercury, Pocono Record |
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