James (Jim) William Gerlach, 95, of Fort Smith, AR, passed away on July 21, 2021. He was born on August 21, 1925 in Charles City, IA to Emil Gerlach and Freda Grossman Gerlach. Jim was a World War II Veteran. He served in the Army Air Corps, 306th Bomb Group, 368th Squadron Ball Turret Gunner. He flew 35 missions in a B-17.
Jim retired as the Transportation Manager at Salsbury Laboratories in Charles City, IA. He and his wife Marian were active members of St John’s Lutheran Church in Charles City before moving to Fort Smith. They became members of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. Jim played trumpet in the Charles City community band for 20 years and loved singing in the church choir. He enjoyed golf, gardening, pheasant hunting and fishing.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Marian Gerlach; two children, Tracy Gerlach of Poteau, OK; Peggy Hadley and husband James of Fort Smith, AR; one brother, Virgil Gerlach of Conroe, TX; five grandchildren, Michael Hadley and wife Michelle of Fort Smith, AR, Sarah Harper and husband David of Fort Smith, AR, Katie Rivkin and husband Sam of Bentonville, AR, Thomas Hadley and Hanna Lovins of Fort Smith, AR, Laura Buergler and husband Ben of Centerton, AR; 14 great grandchildren and numerous extended family and friends.
Memorial service will be 1 PM, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Fort Smith, AR. Services are entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home. The burial will be at a later date in Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fort Smith Symphony, 5111 Rogers Ave Suite 617, Fort Smith, AR 72903, St. Luke Lutheran Church, 5401 Free Ferry Rd, Fort Smith, AR 72903 or Ronald McDonald Children Charities, RMHC, 1333 Arapaho Ave Ste C, Springdale, AR 72764, www.rmhc.org.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Sandy Sanders, Mike Fitzhugh, Philip Merry, Andre Nolewajka, and Virgil Gerlach.
