Donald Joseph Gerlach

A funeral service for Donald Joseph Gerlach will be held at 6:00p.m.Wednesday January 15, 2014 at Gillette Memorial Chapel, Gillette, WY with Erik Bergquist officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00p.m. prior to the service. Don Gerlach, age 59, of Gillette, Wyoming died from a heart related incident on Tuesday January 7, 2014 at his home.Don was born on July 30, 1954 in Upper Darby, PA, the fourth of nine children to Mari Josephine and Harry David Gerlach. He grew up and attended school in Bala Cynwyd, PA and worked as a mason and truck driver post high school. He graduated for Penn State Ferrier School which started his life-long love of horses. He moved west to Riverton, WY in 1980 and worked on oil rigs for Exeter Drilling. On July 9, 1983, he married Arlene Woomer in Zion, Pa and moved to Gillette where he worked for Exeter, CS Construction and Powder River Transportation In 1987 he acquired the Roto Rooter franchise, where he built a successful business until death. He loved his sons, Brian and George, and wanted only the best for them both. He was a teacher at heart, especially when it came to riding and skiing. Family reunions were spent skiing at Tahoe, Jackson Hole, Steamboat and the Big Horns, tropical cruises, Hawaii, and trail riding in the Big Horns trying to find Bomber Mountain. Don has been a very supportive member of the Campbell County Horse 4-H Program for 21 years. He was always there to coach a kid, build a trail pattern, or whatever was needed at the moment. His tireless work and devotion will be sorely missed by all the youth and adults in the Program. He gave selflessly and never asked for a thing in return. He kept the 4-H Horse equipment trailer cleaned and stocked and would always move it to the venue it would be needed at next. For the past several years he took it upon himself to set up the Trail and the Programmed Ride at all of the Progress Shows and County FairDon was a wonderful and unique individual who was always ready to help others. Small in stature, he was larger than life--always there with a laugh or hug when you needed it. He volunteered the majority of the manual labor, construction, and heavy equipment responsible for creating and maintaining the Powder Basin Equestrian Park at CAM-PLEX which was his second home which he was very proud of it. He rescued friends (and strangers) in any situation; he was a thoughtful and caring friend.Don has been an active member and organizer of the Powder Basin Equestrian Association and an avid competitor in Eventing and Hunter/Jumper competitions in Wyoming and surrounding states. Everyone knew him at horse shows for his unique style and helpful and positive attitude. He was preceded in death by his son, George James Gerlach; father Harry Gerlach and Brother Edward Gerlach. He is survived by his son, Brian David Gerlach of Gillette, mother Mari Jo Kuhn of Sun City, FL, sister Mari Jo (Gene) Grace of Golden Alley, MA, sister Leonide (Jerry) McKay of Benicia, CA, brother Harry (Renee') Gerlach of Sweet Home, OK, brother John Patrick Gerlach of Parks burg, PA, brother Christopher (Betsy) Gerlach of Broomall, PA, brother Paul (Melody) of Citrus Heights Hills, CA. and nieces and nephews.In lieu of flowers, funds have been set up for Don's son, the Brian Gerlach Scholarship, and for Powder Basin Equestrian Association in memory of Don for perpetuation of the Equestrian Park and the Campbell County 4-H Horse program. Memorials and Condolences may be sent in Don's name in care of Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court Gillette, Wyoming 82716. Condolences may also be sent via our website www.walkerfuneralgillette.comFuneral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716