Obit: Gerlach, William J. (1878 - 1964)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Gerlach, Vollrath, Johnson, Speich, Metcalf, Van Gorden, Scott, Sternitzky, Ratsch, Drescher, Beyer, Dallman, Schulis, Olson, Hoff, Balliett, Jermstad, Koehler

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) January 16, 1964

Gerlach, William J. (26 September 1878 - 12 January 1964)

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday from the United Church of Christ for William J. Gerlach, 85, of Neillsville, who died here Sunday. The Rev. W. C. Koehler officiated. Burial was made in the Neillsville City Cemetery.

Mr. Gerlach was born September 26, 1878 in Manitowoc County and attended schools there.  He later engaged in farming and carpentry.  In 1906 he came to Clark County and operated cheese factories in the Granton, Marshfield and Greenwood areas.

On May 30, 1917, he was married to the former Emma Vollrath in Greenwood. From 1927 to 1939 they operated the Golden Valley Cheese Factory in Osseo; and from 1939 to 1946 they farmed in the Town of York.  In 1946, Mr. Gerlach retired from active work and moved to Neillsville.

He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Lyman (Emmeline) Johnson of New London; a son, Edward B. Gerlach of Chippewa Falls; and seven grandchildren.

Mr. Gerlach was a member of the United Church of Christ in Neillsville.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Georgas Funeral Home.

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) January 23, 1964

Funeral services were conducted January 15, for William J. Gerlach, 85, who died January 12. The Rev. W. C. Koehler officiated at services from the United Church of Christ in Neillsville. Burial was made in the Neillsville City Cemetery.

Pallbearers were: William Vollrath, Kenneth Vollrath, Don Speich, LeRoy Metcalf, Gary C. Speich and Jerald Vollrath.

"Whispering Hope" and "Beyond the Sunset" were sung by Mrs. Ruth Van Gorden, accompanied by Mrs. Jess W. Scott.

People from out of town attending included: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Johnson and family of New London; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gerlach and family of Chippewa Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Ruel Gerlach and family of Marshfield; Mr. and Mrs. Otto Sternitzky and family, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Johnson and family and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Sternitzky of Granton.

From Greenwood were: Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Ratsch, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Drescher, Mrs. Arnold Beyer, Mr. and Mrs. George Vollrath, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Vollrath, Jerald Vollrath, Mrs. Ida Speich, Miss Violet Speich, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Vollrath, Mr. and Mrs. William Vollrath, Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Metcalf and Mr. and Mrs. Ben Dallman.

Grover Schulis of Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Johnson of Wisconsin Rapids, and Mr. and Mrs. Don Speich of Eau Claire; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth B. Olson, Mr. and Mrs. Hilmer Olson, Mrs. Thilmer Hoff, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Johnson, Mrs. Grace Balliett, Mrs. Matti Jermstad, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Jermstad, Sylvester Olson, and Mr. and Mrs. Gary Speich, all of Osseo.