Charles "Chuck" Henry Gerlach

Charles "Chuck" Henry Gerlach, age 78, of La Grande, died May 19, 2009 at a local care facility. A funeral will be held on Friday, May 22, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 2705 Gekeler Lane in La Grande. Viewing will be held on Thursday at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street in La Grande from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m.

Chuck was born on August 10, 1930, one of eleven children in Kenton, Ohio. In his early years he was raised by his mother, Wanda Jones but when the depression came about he went to live in Spokane, Washington with his uncle, Walter Gerlach, who raised him from that point on. He graduated from high school in Spokane and then moved to Condon where he was a wheat rancher.

In 1950 he married Marilyn McCarty. In 1965 they moved to La Grande where he continued to raise wheat until selling the ranch in 1970. He then owned and operated a trucking business and later worked for the railroad. He was active member of the Trinity Baptist Church for many years. He was an avid golfer and belonged to the La Grande Country Club. During his lifetime he was a member of the Condon Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge and Eagles Lodge. When his health prevented him from his love of the golf game he always found other hobbies to keep him busy, including trap shooting, boating, skiing, hunting, fishing and more recently leather work and motorcycle riding.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Gerlach of La Grande; sons, Craig and Marcene Gerlach, Michael Gerlach and Terry and Sherrie Gerlach, all of La Grande; Nine grandchildren; Fifteen great grandchildren; seven siblings; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Lentfer, daughter-in-law, Barbara Gerlach and granddaughter, Misty Dawn Gerlach.

Those who wish may make contribution in memory of Charles Gerlach to any medical research charity of one's choice in care of Daniels~Knopp.

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