Russel E. Gerlach, 90
Russel E. Gerlach, age 90, of Huntingburg, passed away at 3:41 a.m., Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper.
He was born May 4, 1921 in Huntingburg, Indiana to Frank and Anna (Reitz) Gerlach. He was united in marriage to Bernice Lasher on September 20, 1949 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntingburg. Russel retired in 1992 from D.M.I. Furniture where he worked as a purchasing agent.
Prior to his employment at D.M.I., he was a business co-owner of Scott Windows of Indiana. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society, the Y.M.I. Club and a charter member of the V.F.W. Post #2366. Russel enjoyed woodworking and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1942-46. He was a Radioman 1st class aboard the minesweeper – The Albatross.
He was preceded in death by: his mother and father; his stepmother, Linda Gerlach; three brothers – John, Frank and Donald Gerlach; three sisters – Ruth Wendling, Marcella Lindeman and Doris Hochgesang; and one grandson.
He is survived by:
His wife, Bernice Gerlach – Huntingburg, IN,
One son and one daughter-in-law,
Kevin (spouse: Marge) Gerlach – Crystal Lake, Illinois,
Two daughters and one son-in-law,
- Martha Gerlach Fink – Huntingburg, IN,
- Cheryl (spouse: Steve) Rauscher – Huntingburg, IN,
One brother, Marvin Gerlach – Jasper, IN,
Three sisters,
- Joan Oxley – Jasper, IN
- Patricia Hedinger – Jasper, IN
- Marilyn Mayo – St. Charles, MO
by (6) grandchildren and (4) great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Russel E. Gerlach will be held at 10:00 a.m., E.S.T., on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntingburg with burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery (Huntingburg). The V.F.W. Post #2366 Memorial Detail will conduct military graveside rites.
Friends may call for visitation at the Nass & Son Funeral Home in Huntingburg from 2:00-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday. A parish rosary prayer service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday afternoon, at the funeral home. The Y.M.I. Club will hold a memorial service immediately following the rosary. Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Mary’s Catholic Church or The Huntingburg Memorial Gymnasium Fund.
