Horace E. Acre, who for 29 years devoted energy and knowledge in striving for the building of a better community and educational system in Sterling, died Sunday in a Sterling hospital. He was 68.
Funeral services for the former City Councilman and member of the board of education, will be conducted 10 a.m., Wednesday from the Trinity Lutheran Church, Rev. Harold Kaestner officiating.Burial will follow in Riverside cemetery.
Mr: Acre served on the City Council of Sterling for 21
years and was mayor pro-tem from 1956 through 1959.
He was first elected to the council in 1952 and served until Dec. 31, 1981. He returned to the council Jan. 1, 1964 and served until the November 1975 election when he was defeated by Harry Held, presently a member of the council.
His dedication to the building of a better city was marked by the long tenure on the City Planning Commission, Jan. 1, 1966 to Nov. 11, 1975.
Mr. Acre represented the northwest Sterling area and among his principal targets was the improvement of curb and gutter and sewage facilities for his area.
This was realized last spring when the city completed the Northwest Sterling Storm Sewage project, and continued long-range planning for up dating curb and gutter and streets.
During his tenure on the city council, Mr. Acre served with 20 different council members; five mayors; three city managers and three finance directors.
He also worked with 11 different members of the Logan County Board of Com missioners.
He was dedicated to the improvement of the city, standing firm on his policy of stressing city improvements and advocated growth, "but controlled growth."
He witnessed many changes in the city, highlighted by the dedication of the Sterling Public Safety Buiiding and the Sterling Public Library.
Final project of keen interest to Mr. Acre was the con struction of the new city hall complex. All buildings are located in Centennial Square.
Mr. Acre served on the Re-i Valley School District Board of Education on two occasions, 1964-65 and again 1967-72. During his 7½ year span, Mr. Acre 3erved with 22 board of e members and worked with three school superintendents.
He had a keen interest in academic and athletic development of. Sterling schools.
His four Sons participated in athletics while in Sterling High School.
While not a veteran of military wars, Mr. Acre was among the biggest boosters of the American Legion Junior Baseball team He also pushed Sterling's softball activities as well as Sterling High School baseball.
In the early 1950's Mr. Acre, along with his wife, Emma, were among those who traveled with the Legion baseball team, coached by the late Bruce Beavens, and watched the team gain several honors and titles.
It was the same with the Tiger baseball club, as he witnessed the team gain a state
championship, again under the leadership of Beavens.
In business, Mr. Acre was a fixture at the Platte Valley Lumber Co., and Mead Lumber Co., for over 30 years.
In 1965 he opened his own business, Acre Pump and Well Supply, and continued operating the firm with his youngest son until ill health reduced his activity.
Mr. Acre was born Jan. 2, 1910 in Shoals, md., the son ofEdward and Elizabeth Ren neker Acre and the family moved to Fort Morgan when Mr. Acre was nine years old. His parents farmed near Hilirose and Mr. Acre attended Roosevelt School between Hillrose and Merino.
After his schooling he helped his father on the family farm and on Nov. 23, 1935 married Emma Luft in Sterling.
The couple moved to Sterling in 1936 where Mr. Acre began his long career in the lumber business.
Mr. Acre was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Emma Acre of Sterling; four sons, Gerald Lee Acre and Bernard Keith Acre, both of Sterling; Floyd Eugene Acre of Fort Lupton and Ronald Wayne Acre of Arvada; two brothers, Home Acre of Denver and Leland Acre of Grand Junc tion; a sister, Miss Hazel Acre of Port Morgan and six grandchildren.
Chaney-Walters Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.