Obituaries

December 25, 1930 to April 2, 2011

ROYAL CENTER - Florence “Elaine” Gerlach, 80, of Star City passed away at 11:44 p.m., Saturday, April 2,  at South Bend Memorial Hospital.

Born on Dec. 25, 1930 in Mishawaka, she was the daughter of the late Jacob and Jesse (Hass) Perry. On Jan. 9, 1949 she married Argyle E. Gerlach in Star City. He preceded her in death on June 9, 1973.

Survivors include her children, Gary Gerlach and wife Diane of Star City, Todd Gerlach of Burnettsville, Rebecca Zellers and husband Herb of Rochester and Gail Lambert and husband Larry of Winamac, brother, Kent Perry of South Bend, sister, Judy Klotz of McHenry, Illinois and half brother, Tom Perry of Washington, 10 grandsons, 4 great granddaughters and 2 great grandchildren expected.

Mrs. Gerlach's father Jacob was a steamfitter for the U.S. government during World War II, and Elaine traveled all over the U.S. She returned to Star City her freshman year and graduated from Star City High School in 1948. She was a homemaker and farm wife who was a member of White Oak United Methodist Church. She played piano and sang at many weddings and funerals. She was also a member of the Star City Tops and the Royal Center Order of Eastern Star #375.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Harrison-Metzger and Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center Chapel. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday (April 6), at the funeral home with Pastor Kevin Drane officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the donor's favorite charity.