Michael Wayne, “Mike”, Acker

mike-acker

Michael Wayne, “Mike”, Acker went to heaven March 17, 2018, Saturday morning at 3:18 a.m.  He passed peacefully in his home, in Loogootee, with his children by his side.  Mike was born on March 12, 1937 in Evansville, Indiana to the late William Lester Acker Sr. and Leoma (Leomer) Elizabeth Chandler.

He attended Francis Joseph Reitz High School and graduated on June 9th 1955.  After High School, he graduated Evansville College August 7th 1959 and  received a BA in Physics.  After college he enrolled in the Air Force ROTC on March 24th 1960 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and was on active duty for 8 years and served in the Vietnam War.  He then went to work as a Quality Control Engineer at what is now known as Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane. Mike’s work in the military and NSWC Crane totaled 43 years, at which time he retired on May 1st 2003.

In 1973, Mike, who already had three young children, married Dorothy Emma O’Brien-Hart. They were married at St. John’s Catholic Church.  He welcomed not only Dorothy, but her nine children as well.  Mike has eleven children, James Acker, Debora Acker (Ted) Wagler, David (Laura) Acker, Diane Hart (Bob) Dawson, David Hart, Marie Hart (Grant) Reed, Patricia Hart Shinness, James (Shawna) Hart, Michael Hart, Thomas Hart, Marianne (Elizabeth) Hart.  He has 19 grandchildren, Kirsten, Zachary, Joshua, Jennifer, Jenae, Jesse, Stevan, Miranda, Melissa, Kathryn, Anna, Ashley, Beth, Phillip, Prestin, Paul B, Erica, Conrad and Brittany; 18 great grandchildren, Daniel, Stella, Willow, Gabrielle, Ava, Hazel, Emma, Aidan, Declan, Ethan, Norah, Arlo, Beckham, Taryn, Aria, Hart, Emmalynn, and Jordan.

He is survived by his brother, James Robert  Acker Sr, sister-in-law, Ethel Mae Acker, Aunt Rachael Belle Chandler Settle, and her husband Charles Albert Settle Sr. Mike is proceeded in death by his parents; Leoma (Leomer) Elizabeth Chandler Acker and William Lester Acker Sr., wife; Dorothy Emma O‘Brien Hart-Acker, son; Paul Kenneth Hart, and his brother William Lester Acker Jr.

During free time Mike enjoyed golfing, solving advanced college math problems, as well as talking about American History, including the day, month, and year which the event took place.

Family will receive visitors at Blake Funeral Home, 300 Church St. in

Loogootee, IN Tuesday from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Very Rev. J. Kenneth Walker at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 408 Church St., Loogootee, IN Wednesday at 10:00 am.  He will be interred at St John’s Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at  www.blakefuneralhomes.com.