Larry L. Gerlach

TAMPICO – Larry Lee Gerlach, 76, of Tampico, died Monday, July 17, 2017, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling.

Larry was born July 8, 1941, in Henry County, to Harold and Leona (Whittington) Gerlach. He was a 1959 graduate of Sterling High School. He was a veteran having served in the Army. Larry married Sharon Buck on July 30, 1966, in Prophetstown. Larry was employed at Birkey’s in Prophetstown for 55 years, retiring in 2016. He was an avid snowmobiler and antique tractor puller. Larry enjoyed restoring and collecting IH Farmall antique tractors, and enjoyed playing cards, especially with family members.

Survivors include his significant other, Patricia Etheridge of Tampico; two sons, Jamie (Anita) Gerlach and Chad (Patricia) Gerlach, both of Prophetstown; two stepchildren, Wendy (Joe) Schultz and Jamie (Jennifer) Etheridge, both of Prophetstown; six grandsons, Austin Lee, Payton James, Nolan Robert, Zachary Lawrence, Clayton Wyant, and Kenneth Wyant Gerlach; four stepgrandchildren, Brady Melton, Colleen Jacobs, and Paxton and Gus Schultz; one step-great-grandchild, Kye Bryan; two sisters, Kathleen (David) Dittmar and Mrs. Marian Koester, both of Elizabeth; one brother, Gerald (Linda) Gerlach of Lena; and one brother-in-law, Jerry Kloepping of Lena.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Charlotte Kloepping and Lynnette in infancy; one brother, Michael J. Gerlach; one brother-in-law, Jim Koester; and three nephews, Carl Van Horn, Danny Van Horn, and Tim Koester.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Bosma-Gibson Funeral Home in Prophetstown. The funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Prophetstown United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Mark Meyers officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Prophetstown.

A memorial has been established by the family.

Visit bosmagibson.com to send condolences.