Russell F. Ackerman, age 92, of Spruce Street, Hellertown PA, died Saturday, September 10, 2005 at St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill PA. He is the Husband of Grace E. (Ziegenfuss) Ackerman. The couple celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary this past August.

Born in Bethlehem PA, he is the son of the late Harry Ackerman and Helen (Brader) Brauchle. Russ worked in the Steam Water and Air Department at the Saucon Plant of the Bethlehem Steel for 40½ years until retiring. He is a Member of Christ Lutheran Church, Hellertown PA.

Russ is the oldest Volunteer Fireman and Fire Police at the Dewey Fire Co., Hellertown PA. He is also Past President of the Edward H. Ackerman Post 397; Honorary Life Member of the Beethoven Waldheim; Past President of the Heights AA,; Life Member of the SeWy-Co Fire Co; the Grover Cleveland; the 540 Democratic Club; the Hellertown High School Alumni Association; the Hellertown Sportsman's Club; the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Midget Sportsman Association; and the Good Fellows. He is also Past Treasurer of Hellertown Democratic Club; Past President of the Northampton Co. and Bethlehem Club; and Member of the Silver Creek County Club; Hellertown Historical Society; Hellertown Centennial Committee; Knights of the Golden Eagles Lodge since 1935; and former Member of the Silver Creek AA. He also helped organize and coached Minor and Little League Baseball.

He is survived by his Loving Wife; Sons, Jan J. Ackerman and his wife Diane L. of Hellertown PA and Rickey R. Ackerman and his wife Carole L. of Bethlehem PA; 4 Grandchildren, Darren J., Heather E., Steven W. and Gwenn L.; and 2 Great Grandchildren, Jacob A. and Jared S. He is predeceased in death by his Sisters, Helen Peterson and Dorothy.

Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 14th, 2005 at the Church, 69 Main Street, Hellertown PA with the Reverend Philip C. Spohn officiating. Family and Friends may call 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., 326 Main Street, Hellertown and 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Church. Interment to follow services at the Union Cemetery of Hellertown.

Contributions may be made to the Dewey Fire Co. #1, 502 Durham Street, Hellertown PA 18055 and/or the Edward H. Ackerman Post 397, 935 Main Street, Hellertown PA 18055 and/or the Church.