Richard Gerlach

Richard Louis Gerlach, 74, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, at Southeast Hospital.

He was born April 8, 1939, in Cape Girardeau, to Edward and Louise Kirchhoff Gerlach, second of three sons. He was baptized May 21, 1939, by A.H. Schmidt, and confirmed Dec. 28, 1953, by the Rev. Koenig.

Gerlach and Veroncett Mann were married June 14, 1958, in Cape Girardeau.

Richard attended Juden 2 Grade School and College High School.

He worked at Paul Armsby Phillips 66 Service Station in Cape Girardeau. He worked 37 years at Cape-Kil Pest Control Co., having to retire because of heart problems and Parkinson's disease. Richard attended St. Andrew Lutheran Church, later going to Trinity Lutheran Church in Egypt Mills. 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 a son, Girada (Greg) Vines, Joleda (David) Moyers, Darris (Tina) Gerlach and Myra (Jason) McCormick; special friends, Mary Herndon, and Chuck, Deana and Katie Todt; two brothers, Wendell (Mary) Gerlach of Hillsboro, Mo., and 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) and Dalton McCormick; seven great-grandchildren, Dylan Monahan, Grant and Morgan Hindman, Oliver and Ivan Drum, Ziryn Walker and Lucas Richard Gerlach.

Also his mother-in-law, Juanita Riggs; nieces and nephews, Karen (Paul) Pullman, Tracy Gerlach, Tim (Rene) Gerlach, Keith (Lisa) Gerlach and 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; a sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Gerlach; and a nephew, Steven Gerlach.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Barry Pfanstiel officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery at Egypt Mills.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and grandsons-in-law.

Memorial contributions may be given to Egypt Mills Trinity Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.