HAZELTON, KS
Gates, Merle Eugene, 88, farmer, beloved dad, brother and uncle, passed away on Monday, April 2, 2012. He was born October 13, 1923, at home on the farm, 5 miles north of Hazelton, Kansas, oldest child of Eugene Griffith Gates and Jamima (Garlow) Gates. He attended Maple Grove Country School and graduated from Hazelton High School. He married Camille Gates on August 10, 1952 in Norwich, Kansas. Merle loved his farming and raising cattle all of his life. He was a member of the Barber County Cattleman's Association, Kiowa First United Methodist Church, and Cosmos Lodge 278. He loved his family and appreciated his son's devotion and care for him as his health declined. He is survived by his son, Darwin Gates; brothers, Bob (Dorothy) Gates of Laverne, OK and Harold (Iva) Gates of Alva, OK; sisters, Norma Ballard of Topeka, Shirley (Duane) Hamm of Hillsboro and Venita (Dee) Waggoner of Sedgwick; brother-in-law, Frosty (Joan) Roberts of Norwich; sister-in-law, Jolene Gates of Effingham, IL; many nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his wife, Camille Gates; parents, Eugene and Jamima Gates; brothers, Roger Gates, C. Dean Gates and sister, Eileen Griekspoor; nephews, David Waggoner, Joe Ballard, Ron Tucker; nieces, Debbie Tucker, Carol Griekspoor, Janet Christenson and Connie Schwartz. Visitation 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 6 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home, Anthony. Graveside Services 11 a.m., Saturday, April 7, at Rose Hill Cemetery, Hazelton, Kansas. Memorials in lieu of flowers to The OWLS Sr. Citizen Center, in care of Barbara Demint, 10523 SE Scott Canyon Rd, Hazelton, Ks 67061 or Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, Ks 67202. A Special Thank You to the staff at Kiowa Hospital District Manor for your love and care during his short stay at KHDM. www.bakerfhvc.com www.prairierosefuneralhomes.com
Prairie Rose Funeral Home Anthony