Robert A. Gerlach, 88, of Coldwater died on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at Mercer Health in Coldwater.

He was born November 29, 1931 in Mercer County, Ohio to the late William & Philomena (Clune) Gerlach. On October 23, 1954, he married Elsie (Krieg) and she died November 13, 2005.

He is survived by sons, Steven (Jane) Gerlach of Coldwater, Daniel (Terri) Gerlach of St. Marys, Douglas (Cheri) Gerlach of Celina, William Gerlach of Clayton, NC and Alan (Pam) Gerlach of Wapakoneta; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a sister Dorothy Niekamp; and in-laws, Virg (Rosie) Krieg, Lucy Rose, Ron (Marlene) Schmitz, Harold (Pat) Krieg, John (Marie) Sacher, Karen Bergman and Ralph (Kate Hemmelgarn) Fullenkamp.

He is preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Valerie Gerlach; a granddaughter Nicole Gerlach and siblings and in-laws, Leroy (Pauline) Klosterman, Harold Edgar Gerlach, Clarence (Pauline) Gerlach, Victor (Betty) Gerlach, Paul (Ruth) Niekamp, James Gerlach, Mark Niekamp, Carl Rose, Don Bergman, Onalee Fullenkamp and Harold Gerlach.

He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Coldwater, Coldwater American Legion Post #470, Coldwater V.F.W. Post #5135 where he was past commander and a 30 year member of the firing squad. Bob served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and retired from Minster Farmers Exchange after 38 years and he was also a farmer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Monday, February 3, 2020 at Holy Trinity Church, Coldwater. Burial with military rites will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Coldwater.

Friends may call from 1 to 6 PM on Sunday, February 2nd and 9 to 10 AM on Monday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Center for Neurological Development in Burkettsville.

Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.