John E. Gerlich, age 73, of Rothbury, passed away Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at home.  He was born February 25, 1945 in Yonkers, New York the son of Elmer and Mildred (Ahr) Gerlich.

He graduated Lincoln High School, Yonkers, NY, 1963 and from Voorhees Technical Institute, NYC, 1965, A.S. degree in Electronics. John served in the US Navy Reserves (1965 - 1970), including active duty aboard USS Bushnell, based at Key West, FL.

John was a computer software engineer at IBM Corp in Manhattan, NY, Creative Applications, Inc., in NYC, Cellular Software, Inc.  in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and G & H Consulting in Tolland, CT. He did international and healthcare consulting while he lived in Leesburg, VA and Henderson, NV where he did projects with the World Bank in Jerash, Jordan, Istanbul, Turkey, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Rwanda, Bhutan, Accra, Ghana, and Ramallah.

John had a passion for kids and was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer in VA, NV and MI and Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) counselor in NV and MI.  He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his daughter, Laura Sly of New Era; son, Stephen Gerlich of Aurora, Colorado; and granddaughter, Megan Sly.  He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law, Mathew Sly and partners, Deborah Lawhorne, Patricia Arenas and Melody Boyer.

Memorial service will be held Monday, June 11th at 11 AM  at Trinity Lutheran Church of New Era.  Memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church Angel Tree, 5631 W. Stony Lake Road, New Era, MI 49446 are appreciated.