Joseph Gerlach Jr.

Joseph Gerlach, Jr., age 82 of Miles, Iowa, died Thursday, January 1, 2009 at his home surrounded by his loving family. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 5, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Preston, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Preston, with a Scripture Wake Service held at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Preston.

Joseph was born on September 12, 1926, the son of Joseph and Mary (Wagner) Gerlach in Charlotte, Iowa. Joseph married Jacqueline Streuser in 1946, Jacqueline died in 1996. Joseph later married Rosalee Schlecht on May 16th, 1997 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Preston.

Joseph loved farming his entire life and owned and operated a farm in rural Miles. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he was involved with Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of Izaak Walton League in Sabula, Iowa and The Eagles Club in Clinton, Iowa. Joseph was also a volunteer fireman for the Miles Fire Department, where he served as trustee for 31 years. He enjoyed working at the Schlecht Hatchery, flower gardening, jigsaw puzzles, feeding humming birds and giving to churches and the elderly. Most of all, Joseph loved and cherished spending time with his family and friends.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Rosalee of Miles; three sons, David Gerlach of Clinton, Paul (Debbie) Gerlach of Marquette, Kansas and Richard (Sandy) Schlecht, Jr. of Miles; three daughters, Mary Jo (John) Baker of San Antonio, Texas, Catherine (Patrick) Lannen of DeWitt, Iowa and Etta (Greg) Culver of Miles; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; one brother Eugene (Eleanor) Gerlach of Preston; and one sister, Elizabeth Bondy of Savanna, Illinois.

Joseph is preceded in death by two sisters, Helen and Margaret; and one brother, Wilfred.