David L. Gerlach

David L. Gerlach, age 60 of Clinton, Iowa, died on Saturday, August 22, 2009, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 27, 2009 at the Miller-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Preston. A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the funeral home. Burial will take place in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Preston. Memorials may be given to the family in David’s memory.

Dave was born on September 13, 1948, the son of Joseph and Jacqueline M. (Streuser) Gerlach, Jr. in Clinton, Iowa. Dave graduated from Miles High School. He was a machine operator for Lord Baltimore Paper, later International Paper in Clinton Iowa. While working at the plant, Dave was drafted by the United States Army during Vietnam. While serving in the United States Army he was stationed in Seoul, South Korea. After he completed his tour of duty, Dave came back to International Paper and continued to work there for a total of 32 years. After International Paper closed its doors, Dave went to work for Claussen Warehouse, Clinton, for an additional four years. Dave was a lifetime member of the National Trappers Association, the Iowa Trappers Association, and the N.R.A. He was also a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Dave was a sportsman and an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed mushroom hunting, fishing, and trapping.

Dave will be dearly missed by, Rosalee Schlecht-Gerlach of Miles, Iowa; Mary Jo (John) Baker of San Antonio, Texas; Cathy (Pat) Lannen of Dewitt, Iowa; Paul (Debbie) Gerlach of Marquette, Kansas; Etta (Greg) Culver of Miles, Iowa; Richard “Junior” (Sandy) Schlecht of Miles, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dave was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.