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Rev. Charles Holton Acker Jr., 82, a retired associate member, died Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville. A funeral service was held at the Hartzler’s Funeral Home in New Windsor Oct. 6.

He graduated from high school in Trian, N.C., in 1942 and attended the University of Florida. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and then the U.S. Air Force. He stayed in the Army Reserves and was called back for the Korean War to train others in weather bureau service.

He and Virginia “Gina” Burns met at the University of Florida, and married in 1947.

Prior to his ministerial career, he worked in movie theaters as a projectionist then in an auto parts store. In 1955 he and his wife bought their own parts store, which by 1990 had grown into two stores and a Honda motorcycle agency, in Dunkirk, N.Y.

Acker became a licensed preacher in 1968 and started serving small country churches. He was a deacon and was ordained in 1973 and graduated from seminary in 1976. He served a church in Sheridan, N.Y., where he also started working at the Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo as a chaplain.

In 1992 he came to New Windsor, serving St. Paul's UMC, until he retired in 1998. He then took a charge at Flohrville UMC. His last ministry was serving the Johnsville UMC. He and his wife were curators of the Strawbridge Shrine from 1997 until 2004.

Acker filled in as a volunteer chaplain at Carroll Hospital Center and in December 1997 he was awarded the Gold Star Employee of the Month, the only prt-time employee to receive that award. In January 1997 he started as a State Police chaplain, working out of the Westminster barracks, and in 1999 was appointed as director of chaplains of the Maryland State Police, working in Pikesville. He was a member of VFW 1017 in Dunkirk.

He was predeceased by his wife Jan. 8, 2009.

Surviving are daughter, Melissa Lee Hopkins of Olean, N.Y.; son, Charles H. Acker III of Gaithersburg; five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, including Charles H. Acker V.

Condolences may be sent to Charles H. Acker III, 8831 Mourning Dove Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20879.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Strawbridge Shrine Association, c/o Dorothy Shindle, 138 Willis St., Westminster, MD 21157.