Richard L. Gerrish, 61 of Patoka passed away Monday, May 8, 2023, at Carlyle Healthcare Center. He was born on July 7, 1961, the son of Carl and Rebecca (Murray) Gerrish in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Survivors that will remember Richard’s kind, calm spirit include his beloved family, his children, Levi A. Gerrish and Amber of Indiana, and Mandy L. Nicholson and Joe of Mitchell, Canada; grandchildren, Seth Morgan, Clayton Nicholson, Claire Nicholson, and Dylan Nicholson; his parents, Carl and Becky Gerrish of Patoka; his sister, Carla Gerrish of Patoka; and his niece, Hannah Smith, and her daughter Hadley.
Richard worked as a truck driver and was a skilled mechanic, and there was no issue with an engine he couldn’t resolve. He was a member of Odin Masonic Lodge #503 in Sandoval and the Sword of Bunker Hill. Richard enjoyed woodworking and could create amazing trucks and airplanes out of wood. In fact, he loved to make all sorts of items made from wood to gift to family and friends. He had the best sense of humor and was known to tease those closest to him happy to get a smile or an eye roll from the person he was teasing. A man of many talents, he liked to surprise people with his ability to ride a unicycle. He was resourceful, determined, and could literally do anything he set his mind to. Richard was fun-loving, could light up a room with his presence, and was deeply loved by all who knew him.
A Masonic Service will be held at one Friday afternoon, May 12th, by the Odin Masonic Lodge to be followed by a celebration of life service at the Day Macz Funeral Home in Patoka with Pastor Reed Tallman officiating. Interment will follow at Patoka City Cemetery. Friends and relatives are welcome to a visitation time from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the funeral home in Patoka. Memorials may be made in Richard’s honor to Donor’s Choice. Online condolences and memories of Richard may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
