Coldwater native Victor J. Gerlach Sr., 86, Piqua, died at 10:54 a.m. Sept. 15, 2010, at Upper Valley Medical Center in Troy.

He was born Sept. 6, 1924, in Coldwater William and Minnie Clune Gerlach. On March 15, 1944, he married Betty Marie Borges, who survives.

Also surviving is a son, John (Chris) Gerlach, Piqua; two daughters, Joyce Covault-Trevino, Piqua, and Vicky (Rick) Kearns, Sidney; a brother, Bob Gerlach, Coldwater; two sisters, Dorothy Neikamp, Montezuma, and Ruth (Paul) Neikamp, New Bremen; 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Deceased are two sons, Michael Gerlach and Victor Gerlach Jr.; four brothers and a sister.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Philippines. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Piqua where he also served as a usher for many years and sold tickets for bingo. He was a member of the American Legion Post 184 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4874, both in Piqua. He was a Meadow Gold milkman for 40 years before retiring.

Funeral Mass was September 17 at the church, the Rev. Angelo Caserta officiated. Burial with full military honors by The Veterans Elite Tribute Squad in Piqua was at Forest Hill Cemetery in Piqua.

Memorials can be made to the church.

Arrangements were handled by Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home in Piqua.

Condolences can be left at www.melcher-sowers.com.