Richard Gerlach

Richard Louis Gerlach, 74, of Cape Girardeau, Mo. died Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born April 8, 1939 in Cape Girardeau to Edward and Louise Kirchhoff Gerlach second son of three brothers. He was baptized May 21, 1939 by A.H. Schmidt and confirmed December 28, 1953 by Pastor Koenig. He and Veroncett Mann were married June 14, 1958 at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She survives. Richard attended Juden 2 Grade School and College High School. He worked at Paul Armsby Phillips 66 Service Station in Cape Girardeau. For 37 years, he did pest control service for Cape-Kil Pest Control Company, having to retire because of heart problems and Parkinsons. Richard attended St. Andrew Lutheran Church, later going to Trinity Lutheran Church in Egypt Mills, Mo. He served as an Elder, usher, and a choir member. He enjoyed hunting, Beagles, horseback riding, and his dad's Ford tractor. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Veroncett Gerlach; three daughters and one son, Girada (Greg) Vines, Joleda (David) Moyers, Darris (Tina) Gerlach, Myra (Jason) McCormick; special friends, Mary Herndon, Chuck, Deana and Katie Todt; two brothers, Wendell (Mary) Gerlach of Hillsboro, Mo., Kevin Gerlach (Sharon Kirchhoff) of Cape Girardeau; eight grandchildren, Justin Vines, Jaime (Brad) Drum, Erica (Chet) Hindman, Jessica Moyers, Joshua Moyers, Darris, Jr. (Lisa) Gerlach, Ashton Gerlach (Derek Walker), Dalton McCormick; seven great-grandchildren, Dylan Monahan, Grant and Morgan Hindman, Oliver and Ivan Drum, Ziryn Walker and Lucas Richard Gerlach; mother-in-law, Juanita Riggs; nieces and nephews, Karen (Paul) Pullman, Tracy Gerlach, Tim (Rene) Gerlach, Keith (Lisa) Gerlach, Gail (Darren) Estes; lots of cousins, including Michael Hahn who visited and helped Darris keep the lawn mowed and also brought fresh produce. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Gerlach, and a nephew, Steven Gerlach. Friends may call 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Saturday at 3:00 pm at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home with the Rev. Barry Pfanstiel officiating. Burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery in Egypt Mills. Pallbearers will be grandsons and grandsons-in-law. Memorial contributions may be given to Egypt Mills Trinity Lutheran Church.

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Richard Gerlach

October 9, 2013