Raymond W. Gerlach, Sr.

Raymond William Gerlach, Sr., age 96, of Luzerne, passed away on November 7, 2021 with his wife and family at his bedside. He was born December 26, 1924 and was a retired construction worker. Raymond lived in Luzerne and was a World War II veteran serving in China and India. Raymond was an outdoorsman loving to hunt and fish. Fly fishing was one of his great passions. After returning home from the war he married Elizabeth Shultz, his wife of almost 74 years. Raymond loved to spend his weekends at his hunting cabin he shared with his son and nephew Joseph Stankoski. When he wasn’t hunting or fishing he would be in his basement tying flies for fishing or reloading for hunting. He was preceded in death by his elder brothers and sister Cora Rose, Charles David, Kenneth Robert, Frank, Audrey Irene and his son Raymond William Gerlach Jr. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Gerlach 95, of Luzerne, his daughter Joyce Cooper, Portland Oregon, his granddaughter Ranee’ Gerlach-Smith, Hanover, grandson Raymond Howard Gerlach Sr., Larksville, grandson James Cooper, Portland Oregon, granddaughter Joy Ogg, Portland Oregon, granddaughter Jessica Gerlach, Whitehall, and his 11 great grandchildren. A private memorial service will be held at a date and time to be determined.