Eldon Leroy Gates

Eldon "Leroy" Gates, age 85, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at Morning Side Center Chillicothe, Missouri. Leroy was born son of Roy W. and Dorris E. (Gronquist) Gates on May 9, 1925 in Triplett, Missouri. He worked with his father farming until he married Verna M. McCollum on September 30, 1944. He is an Army veteran, having served in 1944. On June 6, 1964 he married Ilene Francis Shipp in Chillicothe, Missouri, she preceded him in death on February 13, 2004. Leroy spent many years at Reliable Motors doing body work. He loved working on cars and woodworking, he was an all around handyman. Leroy is survived by two sons, Kenneth Gates of Worthington, Missouri, Larry Gates of Liviona, Missouri; one daughter Gloria Fowler of Kirksville, Missouri; one stepdaughter, Jaunita Rounkles of Utica, Missouri; three brothers, Glen Gates of Raytown, Missouri, Merle Gates of Strasburg, Missouri, Jack Gates of Bates City, Missouri; two sisters, Alta Jean Klos of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Della Joan Dulaney of Kansas City, Missouri; thirteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was also preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Verna Lee, one stepson, Johnny Brown, one grandson Johnny Lane Gates, one infant great-grandson and two infant brothers. Funeral services will be at the Lindley Funeral Home in Chillicothe, Missouri on Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. A family visitation is scheduled for Sunday prior to the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Friends may call on Saturday, December 11, 2010 from 12:00 noon until 9:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hedrick Medical Center Hospice and may be left at the funeral home or mailed to P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.