Matthew Brent Gerlach

For 62 years, Matthew Brent Gerlach of Cambridge threw himself at life full speed and head-on, and life had just better get out of his way.  Friday, February 26, 2021 to our everlasting sorrow, life was too tired to dodge. 

Born in Zanesville on February 18, 1959, to Rudy and Loas (Bresock) Gerlach, Matt grew up in New Concord.  A 1977 graduate of John Glenn High School, he was a three-sport letterman, including being a stand-out defensive end on the football team.  He continued his football career for two seasons at Otterbein College before the cumulative results of 7 years of on-field injuries led him to quit. 

After stints working for a landscaper, in the oil fields, and driving for RPS, he was hired at Colgate, where he worked for many years, until his deteriorating health forced him to take disability.

An over-sized man, Matt matched that with an over-sized sense of humor and story-telling; to be with Matt was to be laughing.  He also had an over-sized heart; in recent years he did a great deal to care for his aging parents, despite his own crippling pain.

He was a loyal friend, a caring son and brother, and a doting father – and an absolutely ecstatic grandfather.

Predeceased by his mother, Loas, he is survived by son Chad of the home, daughter Linsey (Justin Sears) of South Zanesville, and the center of his universe, grandsons Jace and Hutson, his father, Rudy, of New Concord, brothers Greg (Mollie) of New Concord, and Peter (Florence) of DeKalb, IL, sisters Meg (Flint Brenton) of Incline Village, NV, and Diana (Lance Wallace) of Salisbury, NC, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and his dear friend, Karen Dodson.

Visitations will be 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm on Wednesday at the Farus Funeral Home of New Concord.  Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Thursday at the New Concord United Methodist Church, 20 East High Street, New Concord, with Pastor Lisa Kropinak officiating.

The family asks that in Matt’s honor, you dress casually, and Ohio State and Cleveland Browns attire are encouraged.

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