Mr. Herman Otis Gerlach, age 77, of Holly Grove, Arkansas, formerly of Forrest City, died at the BHMC Stuttgart Hospital late Sunday evening, December 10, 2017, after a long illness. Born November 23, 1940, in Blackton, Arkansas, he was the son of Herman Lester "Buddy" Gerlach and Reba G. Walker Gerlach. He was a retired electrical engineer for Sanyo Manufacturing Corporation, Brinkley Motors and Helena Marine Service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Cynthia Marlene Gerlach and a brother Herman "Lynn" Gerlach.

Mr. Gerlach is survived by his wife Barbara of the home; three daughters Nena Smart of West Helena, Jennifer Gerlach and her husband Dwayne Hill of Proctor, Arkansas, and DeShawn "Shawnie" Carrier and her husband Lance of Jonesboro; three brothers Robert "Smiley" Gerlach of Holly Grove, Tommy Gerlach and his wife Leeann of Holly Grove, and Roy "Buddy" Norris of Clarendon; two sisters Peggy Whiteside and Kay Gerlach Vest both of Clarendon; 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Herman loved his family above all else and was always known to help anyone at a moment's notice. He had more friends than he could count and enjoyed hunting and fishing with many of them.

Funeral services for Mr. Gerlach will be Friday, December 15, 2017, at the Believer's Fellowship Church, Second and Oak Street, Holly Grove, Arkansas, at 2:00PM with Bro. Jerry hopper officiating. Burial will follow at Frank's Cemetery in Holly Grove under the direction of Morgan Funeral Home of Forrest City. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00PM on Thursday evening, December 14, 2017, at Morgan Chapel in Forrest City, Arkansas.