Gustav "Gus" Franz Gerlach III

April 18th, 1928 to March 25th, 2014
Another member of the greatest generation Gustav “Gus” Franz Gerlach III passed away on March 25, 2014 unexpectedly.

He was born April 18, 1928 in Indianapolis Indiana. The family made several moves from Indiana to Ohio then Michigan where the family settled in Port Huron in 1939 in the area known as Dutch town. He was the son of the late Gustav Franz Gerlach II and his wife Mildred. He was the eldest of three sons and one elder sister Joy whom he dearly loved. He attended St. Stephens’s high school and in the 11th grade he joined the Navy where he completed high school. While in the Navy he served aboard the USS Mt. McKinley and the USS Skaggett. After his tour of duty he returned to Port Huron and married the love of his life Lillian J. Schieman on April 25, 1952. They were married 63 years. During this time he ran his own bakery/distributing company and later went to work for Continental Baking, the Hostess Cake division from where he retired in 1986.

In 1964 he moved his family to his childhood home in Port Huron where he raised his family and spent the remainder of his life. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister Joy Parks and his two brothers Bill and Tony Gerlach. He is survived by his wife Lillian J. Gerlach, his children Gustav Franz (Diane) Gerlach IV, Sharon (Gary) Bates, Kathy (Roy) Caughel, Mary (Jack) Quandt, Gary (Hayley) Gerlach all of Port Huron. Grandchildren Gustav Franz Gerlach V of Troy, Rheannon Gerlach of Chicago, IL, Carly (Brian) Bates-House of Port Huron, Abbey Bates of Port Huron, Emilee Caughel of Port Huron, Joseph Caughel of Macomb, and Tristin Caughel of Port Huron, Jordan Quandt of Port Huron, Gary Gerlach II of South Bend, IN, Leah (Phillip) Denman of Port Huron, Sarah Gerlach of Port Huron and great grandchildren Scarlett, Sophia and Porter. Numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, many cousins and close friends with whom he spent many memorable times.

He was active in all of his children’s and grandchildren’s activities, these would include Little League, Indian Scouts, hockey, dance, skating, and various school activities. During his life he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars and a very active member of the Teamsters. During his retirement years he became an active collector of various items and traveled extensively around the country with family and friends. He was a very proud American who loved his country dearly.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 29 at 11:00AM in Holy Trinity Parish - St. Stephen Catholic Church. The Reverend Brian K. Cokonougher will officiate. Military honors will be held under the auspices of the United States Navy and St. Clair County Allied Veterans Council.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church,

Memorials may be made the Blue Water Area Humane Society or the Disabled American Veterans.

Arrangements are by the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home.

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