James Earl Gerlach, 41, of Mount Alto, WV, passed away January 27, 2026.

He was the son of James R. Gerlach of Mount Alto, WV and the late Beverly Ann (Roush) Gerlach. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Nina (Harmon) Roush; paternal grandparents, Ross and Marjorie (Weaver) Gerlach; great-grandma, Maxine Scarberry; aunt, Carol Jean Roush.

He was a 2002 graduate of Ravenswood High School and played football for the Red Devils. After graduation he attended a culinary arts program at Fairmont State University, including studying in Florence, Italy. Earl loved cooking, Amy Winehouse and watching the stars above his childhood home, Willow Tree Farm. He was a member of the Cottageville Lodge #54 AF&AM, and belonged to the Hopewell Church, Mount Alto, WV. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

Survivors in addition to his father include his grandfather, Edwin "Pete" Roush of Millwood, WV; sister, Grace Gerlach of Ravenswood; brother, Bruce Smith of Parkersburg, WV; children, Sidni and Riley Gerlach of Belmont, WV and Harley and Hunter Gerlach of Kenna, WV; aunts, Peggy Roush of Ravenswood, Patsy Nelson of Dayton, OH and Shirley Riffle of Leon, WV; nephew, Trent Smith of Southfield, MI.

Service will be 2 p.m. ~ Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Casto Funeral Home, Ravenswood, WV, with Kevin Gillespie officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Private interment will be in Mount Hebron/Jackson Chapel Cemetery, Mount Alto, WV.

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