After a five year battle with Parkinson’s Disease, Richard “Dick” Gerlach, 85, of Fairfield Glade, has gone home to be with our Lord and Savior. He was born on June 7, 1936 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Henry and Mary Puls Gerlach.

A quietly spiritual man. Faith, family and country were most important. He proudly served in the U. S. Air Force. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fairfield Glade, the Knight’s of Columbus, and Fairfield Glade Sportsman’s Club. He was sportsman of the year in 2015. He was a member of numerous Fairfield Glade dance clubs and the Wellness Center.

Dick’s whole career of 41 years was in various managerial positions with Ludwig Drum Company, a Division of Conn-Selmer Band Instruments. He was a drummer and performed in numerous venues in the Chicago area, North Carolina, and Fairfield Glade.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen, Daughters Kim (Michael) Davis of Braselton, GA, Shelley Harris of Mt. Juliet, TN, sons Jeffrey of Goshen, IN, Scott of Carrollton, GA, 8 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by Daughter Anita, Parents Mary and Henry, Sisters Evelyn, Geraldine, and Bernice.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 10:00 am on Friday, February 25. Interment will be in St. Francis Columbarium.

A Special “Thank You” to the staff at Good Samaritans and Caris Hospice for the loving care given to my husband.

John 3:16 KJV: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”