Edward Gates
March 22, 1916 — December 7, 2008
Edward Gates
Edward “Shorty” Gates, retired dentist and long time resident of Charleston, IL passed away at 5:26 P.M. on Dec 7, 2008 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, IL.
He was born in Deland, IL on March 22, 1916 to Clarence and Lela Gates. He was a graduate of Charleston High School and Eastern Illinois University. He briefly taught school in Crescent City, IL until joining the Quarter Master Corps in Chicago, IL. Soon after, he completed officer training school. In 1942, he married Claire Le Claire. He then went on to serve as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was transferred to Ft Bragg, NC eventually being promoted to Major. He received his DDS from University of Illinois Chicago where he made many lifelong friends. He opened his dental practice in Charleston, IL in 1950 and continually served the community for 33 year. He was a past president of the Kiwanis Club, a member of the Lion’s club, Elks, and the Charleston Country Club and a charter member of the Knights of Columbus. He served as a Cub Scout leader and Commissioner of parks and recreation. His passion for golf extended over a period of 80 years. He was an avid fan of all sports.
His life was full of wonder and wonderful love such as that shared with his wife of over 66 years Claire, his 4 children Judy Merrow of Atlanta, GA, Jim (Connie) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, John (Sue) of Kell, IL, Jacquie Linney of Evanston, IL, grandchildren Wendy (Keith) Parry, Brett (Dee) Ritter, Kevin Gates, Kimberly (Chas) West, Nathan (Emily), Aaron and Whitney Gates, Kelsea, Kris and Karra Linney and 7 great grandchildren. He has two sisters, Dorothy Beason of Mattoon, IL and Alice Walker of Charleston, IL and numerous nieces and nephews. His grandson Terry Ritter preceded him in death.
He was born in Deland, IL on March 22, 1916 to Clarence and Lela Gates. He was a graduate of Charleston High School and Eastern Illinois University. He briefly taught school in Crescent City, IL until joining the Quarter Master Corps in Chicago, IL. Soon after, he completed officer training school. In 1942, he married Claire Le Claire. He then went on to serve as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was transferred to Ft Bragg, NC eventually being promoted to Major. He received his DDS from University of Illinois Chicago where he made many lifelong friends. He opened his dental practice in Charleston, IL in 1950 and continually served the community for 33 year. He was a past president of the Kiwanis Club, a member of the Lion’s club, Elks, and the Charleston Country Club and a charter member of the Knights of Columbus. He served as a Cub Scout leader and Commissioner of parks and recreation. His passion for golf extended over a period of 80 years. He was an avid fan of all sports.
His life was full of wonder and wonderful love such as that shared with his wife of over 66 years Claire, his 4 children Judy Merrow of Atlanta, GA, Jim (Connie) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, John (Sue) of Kell, IL, Jacquie Linney of Evanston, IL, grandchildren Wendy (Keith) Parry, Brett (Dee) Ritter, Kevin Gates, Kimberly (Chas) West, Nathan (Emily), Aaron and Whitney Gates, Kelsea, Kris and Karra Linney and 7 great grandchildren. He has two sisters, Dorothy Beason of Mattoon, IL and Alice Walker of Charleston, IL and numerous nieces and nephews. His grandson Terry Ritter preceded him in death.
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