Cecil Gates

CECIL HENRY GATES, 86, of Arcola, IL passed away at 3:05 A.M. on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at the Odd-Fellow Rebekah Home in Mattoon, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main in Arcola, IL. Malcolm Fox will officiate. Burial with Military rites will be in the Arcola Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Friday, March 22, 2013 at the funeral home and one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Public Masonic Rites will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, March 22, 2013 at the funeral home.

Cecil was born on November 11, 1926 in Harrisburg, IL. He was a son of Everett Raymond and Fannie (Prowell) Gates. He married Aline Cox on March
23, 1947 in Galatia, IL.

He is survived by his wife Aline Gates and his son, Steven Ray Gates and his wife Nancy of Arcola, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Emma Lou Gates Busby and his brother, John Richard Gates.

Cecil was Army Veteran of WWII serving in the Asiatic and Pacific Theaters.
He retired from USI in 1988 with over 32 years of service; he was number 2 operator for the ethylene unit.

He was a member of the Arcola Masonic Lodge 366 AF and AM, the Royal Arch, he was a 32 Degree Mason, Danville Consistory and he was a member of the Charleston VFW.

Cecil enjoyed woodworking and fishing. He had been a bee keeper. He served on the Arcola Volunteer Fire Department for 28 years and was an Arcola City Council Member for several years. He also had been a Boat Safety Instructor for the State of Illinois.

Memorials may be made to the Arcola Food Pantry or the Odd-Fellow Rebekah Home-activity department.