David V. Gaerke, 57, Coldwater, died July 18, 2013, at his home.

He was born March 27, 1956, in Coldwater, to the late Leonard Gaerke and Lillian (Will) Gaerke-Homan, who survives in Coldwater. On May 19, 1979, he married Cindy L. Bender in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Carthagena, and she survives in Coldwater.

Also surviving are three children, Jeremiah Lee (Elizabeth Hondorf) Gaerke, West Chester, Ryan David (Melissa May Lai) Gaerke, Maineville, and Melissa Marie (Patrick) Luthman, McCartyville; four grandchildren, Braden David Gaerke, Maggie Ann Gaerke, Sydney Marie Gaerke and Lilly Ann Luthman; brothers and sisters, Gary Gaerke, Coldwater, Dennis (Andrea Falk) Gaerke, Waterford, Mich., Linda (Al) Lefeld, Coldwater, Nicholas (Jan Wannemacher) Gaerke, Centerville, Terry (Phyllis Sutter) Gaerke, Coldwater, Marlene (James) Balster, New Bremen, and Leonard Jr. (Lucy Brown) Gaerke, Coldwater; step-siblings, Laura (Thomas) Behr, Sidney, David (Joan Stelzer) Homan, Hoagland, Ind., Sandra (Richard) Clune, Celina, Alvin (Eileen Brackman) Homan, Minster, and Gary (Jane Kramer) Homan, St. Henry; mother-in-law, Irene Wenning Bender, St. Henry; and in-laws, Joseph (Jean Kramer) Bender, Maria Stein, Janice (Kirk) Brackman, Vandalia, Marjorie (David) Luthman, Versailles, Donald (Dee Dee Buening) Bender, St. Henry, Marilyn (Lynn) Mulholland, Spencerville, and Michael (Susan Tobe) Bender, St. Henry.

Deceased are a sister, Lou Ann Gaerke; step-father, Cletus Homan; father-in-law, Ed Bender; and a sister-in-law, Connie Marie Bender.

He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Coldwater, and the Coldwater Knights of Columbus. He was a master mechanic and worked for Cheeseman Trucking as a maintenance manager. David was a great husband, father and grandpa, who loved fishing, golfing, and tinkering in the shop. He was a humble, modest, family man with strong moral convictions.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Coldwater.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Monday and 9-10 a.m. Tuesday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater.

Memorials may be made to State of the Heart Hospice.

Condolences may be left at www.hogenkampfh.com.