GERLACH
Steven Charles Gerlach, 80, of Sparta, IL; born on December 11, 1942 in Belleville, IL the son of Amos John William and Ruth Marie (Stevenson) Gerlach; passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL.
He was a teacher and lifelong learner. Steven taught many subjects, including Chemistry, Physics, History, Biology, and Social Studies. He enjoyed participating in historical reenactments and traveled all over the United States and Canada, including June Fort (the popular Rendezvous in Prairie Du Rocher) and the Milice Frog Talk in Ste. Genevieve, MO. Performing under the names of Doc Loc and later Dr. Theophratus von Gerlach, Steven gave presentations on 18th Century medicine. As much as Steven loved to teach, he was always learning new things. Steven was the longest member of the Sparta Public Library Board and an avid stamp collector. He was also a lifelong member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sparta. Steven faithfully served the Church in many ways, including working at the food pantry.
Steven was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his loving wife – Judith (Smith) Gerlach of Sparta, IL whom he married on June 13, 1964 in Carbondale, IL; daughter – Catherine (Markus Keller) Gerlach of Chicago, IL; son – Steven Christopher (Aimee Zygmonski) Gerlach of Felton, CA; two grandchildren – Stella Ruth Gerlach and Louisa Luna Gerlach both of Felton, CA; and several other relatives and friends.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.heilschuessler.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sparta.
The Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sparta, IL from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Bonnie Wilkins officiating. Interment will take place at Caledonia Cemetery in Sparta, IL.
Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home in Sparta, IL is in charge of arrangements.
I am so sorry of hear of Steve’s passing. I admired his knowledge and desire to pass that knowledge on to his students. His many travels and forays into historical Rendezvous demonstrated his respect and love for history. Judy, prayers and condolences for you and yours.
ReplyJudy and family so sorry to hear about Steve we all will miss him.
ReplyI am saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. I’ve known him since we were in Cub Scouts together. He was a very good person. My most sincere condolences to his family.
ReplySorry for your loss, Prayers for you all, God Bless you all
ReplyPlease accept my deepest sympathy.
ReplyJudy, Larry and I are so sorry to hear this. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyJudy -So sorry to hear of ur husbands passing.
ReplyI was so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. Such a kind, wonderful man. My condolences to you Judy.
ReplyGary and I are so sorry to hear about Steve. Judy, you and your family have our deepest sympathy.
ReplyGod Bless Steve you were a good friend. Judy always remember we are here for you, I pray god gives you strength in this your time of need.
Russ and Mary Wyatt
Steve will be greatly missed. Such a wealth of knowledge and compassion for others. Our prayers to Judy, Chris, Kathy and other friends and family.
ReplyMr. Gerlach was one of my teachers at SHS back in the later 70’s. I enjoyed having him as a teacher. Sending my condolences.
ReplyHe was a kind spirit and a positive influence to all he touched
May strength be your mantle Judy and know many love and support you
Judy, we are so very sorry to see this. Praying for comfort and peace for you, sending hugs!
ReplySo sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. My deepest condolences to Judy, Cathy and Chris. Steve touched so many lives through his teaching, participation in rendezvous, community activities and much more.
ReplyJudy, I am so sorry! You, Cathy and Chris have my condolences. Steve will be missed by many. 🙏🏽
ReplyMay he Rest In Peace ..Very nice man , Very smart man .. Had him for science class ..
ReplyI’m so sorry for your loss. To say Mr. Gerlach, “G” as we called him, had a significant impact on my life would be an understatement. He is the single reason I went to college for and started my career in Chemistry. I can honestly say I would not be who I am today if I had had him as a teacher, role model, mentor and friend. He will be greatly missed. I feel so blessed to have known him.
ReplyChris, I am so sorry to hear of your dads passing. Prayers for your entire family.
ReplyHarry & I were so sorry to hear this. I first met Steve when he was a manager at Sunnycrest IGA in Urbana. He was in grad school & I was an undergrad working nights as a deli clerk. We called him Mr. Gerlock and loved how he treated us & our customers. Little did I know then that I’d spend years across the 3rd floor hall from him at SHS. Steve will be missed & always remembered. You are all in our prayers.
ReplyMy sincerest of condolences to Judy, Chris and Cathy. I was a student of Steve’s and later became a friend. He was always kind and had a warm smile that seemed to encourage you after the conversation ended. I’d wager he knew more about 18th century medicine than most practitioners today do. RIP Steve, we will share a fire again someday!
Reply“Stevie G” is how he was affectionately known by me and my fellow Physics classmates at Sparta High School. He was kind and caring to all who knew him and he will be missed. My prayers of peace and comfort are with you, Judy and family.
ReplyWe’re so sorry for your loss. We knew Steve through re-enacting. His knowledge and humor brought so much to the Massiac Marines as a group and to each of us personally. He will be much missed.
Bill and Tracey Johnson
Tim, Venice, Tony, & I are so sorry for your loss. We loved talked with Steve at reenactment events, he had a lot of knowledge & was always happy to share. He is deeply missed.
ReplyJudy, we are so saddened by the news of Steve. He was such a kind and thoughtful person. He will be missed at our Malice events. You and family are in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyI am deeply sorry for your loss and saddened by the passing of Mr. Gerlach. Your family is in my prayers during this time of grieving. He will be missed by many.
ReplyDear Judy,
I am sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. I am so grateful to get notices from the Funeral Home to keep informed about good people from my past life in Sparta. He was a great man. You two had many years together and children that you raised well. I know it is hard for you, but both you and Steve are religious and spiritual people. God will help you through this grief. I know it will be hard for quite a long time, but you have a lot of friends and family. Know that I am one of them, and will be thinking and praying for you, my friend!!
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Dear Judy,
I am sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. I am so grateful to get notices from the Funeral Home to keep informed about good people from my past life in Sparta. He was a great man. You two had many years together and children that you raised well. I know it is hard for you, but both you and Steve are religious and spiritual people. God will help you through this grief. I know it will be hard for quite a long time, but you have a lot of friends and family. Know that I am one of them, and will be thinking and praying for you, my friend!!
I am deeply sorry for your loss and saddened by the passing of Mr. Gerlach. Your family is in my prayers during this time of grieving. He will be missed by many.
Judy, we are so saddened by the news of Steve. He was such a kind and thoughtful person. He will be missed at our Malice events. You and family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tim, Venice, Tony, & I are so sorry for your loss. We loved talked with Steve at reenactment events, he had a lot of knowledge & was always happy to share. He is deeply missed.
We’re so sorry for your loss. We knew Steve through re-enacting. His knowledge and humor brought so much to the Massiac Marines as a group and to each of us personally. He will be much missed.
Bill and Tracey Johnson
“Stevie G” is how he was affectionately known by me and my fellow Physics classmates at Sparta High School. He was kind and caring to all who knew him and he will be missed. My prayers of peace and comfort are with you, Judy and family.
My sincerest of condolences to Judy, Chris and Cathy. I was a student of Steve’s and later became a friend. He was always kind and had a warm smile that seemed to encourage you after the conversation ended. I’d wager he knew more about 18th century medicine than most practitioners today do. RIP Steve, we will share a fire again someday!
Harry & I were so sorry to hear this. I first met Steve when he was a manager at Sunnycrest IGA in Urbana. He was in grad school & I was an undergrad working nights as a deli clerk. We called him Mr. Gerlock and loved how he treated us & our customers. Little did I know then that I’d spend years across the 3rd floor hall from him at SHS. Steve will be missed & always remembered. You are all in our prayers.
Chris, I am so sorry to hear of your dads passing. Prayers for your entire family.
I’m so sorry for your loss. To say Mr. Gerlach, “G” as we called him, had a significant impact on my life would be an understatement. He is the single reason I went to college for and started my career in Chemistry. I can honestly say I would not be who I am today if I had had him as a teacher, role model, mentor and friend. He will be greatly missed. I feel so blessed to have known him.
May he Rest In Peace ..Very nice man , Very smart man .. Had him for science class ..
Judy, I am so sorry! You, Cathy and Chris have my condolences. Steve will be missed by many. 🙏🏽
So sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. My deepest condolences to Judy, Cathy and Chris. Steve touched so many lives through his teaching, participation in rendezvous, community activities and much more.
Judy, we are so very sorry to see this. Praying for comfort and peace for you, sending hugs!
He was a kind spirit and a positive influence to all he touched
May strength be your mantle Judy and know many love and support you
Mr. Gerlach was one of my teachers at SHS back in the later 70’s. I enjoyed having him as a teacher. Sending my condolences.
Steve will be greatly missed. Such a wealth of knowledge and compassion for others. Our prayers to Judy, Chris, Kathy and other friends and family.
God Bless Steve you were a good friend. Judy always remember we are here for you, I pray god gives you strength in this your time of need.
Russ and Mary Wyatt
Gary and I are so sorry to hear about Steve. Judy, you and your family have our deepest sympathy.
I was so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. Such a kind, wonderful man. My condolences to you Judy.
Judy -So sorry to hear of ur husbands passing.
Judy, Larry and I are so sorry to hear this. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Sorry for your loss, Prayers for you all, God Bless you all
I am saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. I’ve known him since we were in Cub Scouts together. He was a very good person. My most sincere condolences to his family.
Judy and family so sorry to hear about Steve we all will miss him.
I am so sorry of hear of Steve’s passing. I admired his knowledge and desire to pass that knowledge on to his students. His many travels and forays into historical Rendezvous demonstrated his respect and love for history. Judy, prayers and condolences for you and yours.