LARRY LEE GERLACH, 76, of Tampico, IL, died Monday, July 17, 2017, at CGH Medical Center, Sterling, IL.Larry was born July 8, 1941, in Henry County, IL, to Harold and Leona (Whittington) Gerlach. He was a 1959 graduate of Sterling High School in Sterling, IL. He was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army. Larry married Sharon Buck on July 30, 1966 in Prophetstown, IL. Larry was employed at Birkeys in Prophetstown for 55 years, retiring in 2016. He was an avid snowmobiler and antique tractor puller. Larry enjoyed restoring and collecting IH Farmall antique tractors and enjoyed playing cards, especially with family members.Survivors include his significant other, Patricia Etheridge of Tampico, IL; two sons, Jamie (Anita) Gerlach and Chad (Patricia) Gerlach both of Prophetstown, IL; two step children, Wendy (Joe) Schultz and Jamie (Jennifer) Etheridge both of Prophetstown, IL; six grandsons, Austin Lee, Payton James, Nolan Robert, Zachary Lawrence, Clayton Wyant, and Kenneth Wyant Gerlach; four step grandchildren, Brady Melton, Colleen Jacobs, Paxton and Gus Schultz; one step great grandchild, Kye Bryan; two sisters, Kathleen (David) Dittmar and Mrs. Marian Koester both of Elizabeth, IL; one brother, Gerald (Linda) Gerlach of Lena, IL; one brother-in-law, Jerry Kloepping of Lena, IL.He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Charlotte Kloepping and Lynnette in infancy; one brother, Michael J. Gerlach; one brother-in-law, Jim Koester; three nephews, Carl Van Horn, Danny Van Horn, and Tim Koester.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30 A.M. Saturday, July 22, 2017, at the Prophetstown United Methodist Church - Prophetstown, IL OFFICIATING: Rev. Mark Meyers - Pastor of Prophetstown United Methodist Church VISITATION: 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, July 21, 2017, at the Bosma-Gibson Funeral Home - Prophetstown, IL INTERMENT: Riverside Cemetery - Prophetstown, IL