William Allen Zulker, of Richland, PA since 2005 and formerly a resident of Wayne, PA, passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2021. He was 94 years old. He is survived by his wife Isabel Cox Zulker to whom he was married for 71 years, having celebrated their anniversary on June 10, 2021.
Born on December 20, 1926, in Pleasantview, NJ, the son of the late William John and Virginia Idell Carr Zulker, he had also lived in Lakewood and Trenton, NJ; Philadelphia, Glenmore, and Wayne, PA. He graduated from Hamilton High School, Trenton, NJ, and earned academic degrees from Eastern University, Temple University, Villanova University, and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Palmer Seminary). Dr. Zulker was ordained by the Philadelphia Presbytery of the United Presbyterian Church in the USA and served as the minister of the Bethany Temple Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia for several years. Later, he became an administrator at Eastern University in St. Davids, PA, where he worked and ministered for 30 years. During that time, he served as Dean of Admissions, Director of Financial Aid, Dean of Christian Life, and for his last seven years there, he was the Assistant to the President.
In addition to being a guest preacher in numerous churches, he was also known for his lecture “The Incomparable John Wanamaker” in conjunction with his biographical book John Wanamaker: King of Merchants. He was elected Moderator of the Philadelphia Presbytery, was chaplain for the Philadelphia JC’s, Regional Director of the National Stereoscopic Association, served in the US Army during World War II, was stationed in Germany in the Occupation Troops, and was a Chaplain’s Assistant. He became the President and Director of the Frankfurt, Germany Youth for Christ and was the Founder and Director of the Trenton Youth for Christ, Trenton, NJ.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters: Elizabeth Ann Mellon and her husband James of Richland, PA; Barbara Jean Marshall and her husband William of Brewster, MA; Beverly Sue Vesper and her husband John of Media, PA; nine grandchildren: James Mellon IV and his wife Eleanor; Melissa Mellon; Jessica Mellon Robinson; Christopher Mellon and his wife Brianna, Deborah Mellon Cross and her husband Benjamin; John Vesper III and his wife Claire; William Vesper and his wife Alexis; Kate Vesper Mattero and her husband Nicholas; Sarah Vesper Newton and her husband Jeffrey; and eighteen great-grandchildren: AJ and Johnny Mellon; Isabelle and Annie Robinson; Mercy, Marshall, and Maggie Mellon; Kaylie, Peyton and Greyson Cross; Roman Vesper; Josie and Johnny Vesper; Jordan, Nicky, Vinny and Sydney Mattero; and Brooks Newton.
Services will be held on Monday, September 13, 2021, at Zion United Methodist Church in Myerstown, PA with visitation at 11:00 a.m. and service at 12:00 p.m. followed by interment at Tulpehocken United Church of Christ in Richland, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators or Lebanon Rescue Mission.
