Donald R. Gates, age 89 of Laingsburg passed away Thursday, August 22, 2013 at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at Watkins Brothers Funeral Home, Laingsburg Chapel. The Rev. James Bare will officiate with burial to follow at Laingsburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. Don was born in Clinton County on February 21, 1924, the son of Frank and Ellanore (Biederstedt) Gates. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. On October 18, 1947 he married Naomi L. Wolfrom in Laingsburg and last year celebrated 65 years of marriage, Naomi died on July 22 of this year. Don was a member of Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church of Owosso, American Legion Post 248 in Laingsburg and VFW Post 9455 in Owosso. Don was retired from Motor Wheel after 35 years and also worked for Nelson-House Funeral Homes running the Laingsburg Chapel for 8 years. He is survived by daughter Vicki (Mike)Jackson of Laingsburg, son Robert(Carol)Gates of Mason and son George(Cheryl)Gates of Laingsburg, four grandchildren; Jena Tengman, Ryan (Lori) Jackson, Kelli (Toby) Martin and Nicholas Gates, eight great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by grandson, Matt Tengman. Memorials are suggested to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan and Laingsburg American Legion. Online condolences can be sent to watkinsfuneralhomes
Posted on: Fri, 23 Aug 2013 11:37:09 +0000