Duane Walton Gates

Duane W. Gates, age 96, died Wednesday at his home upon returning from an extended stay in the hospital.

Duane was born December 15, 1922 in Ashtabula, the son of William R. & Cleo (Gottmeir) Gates and has been an area resident all of his life.  He was a veteran of the U. S. Army serving during World War II, earning two Bronze Stars.  Duane was married to Helen Koi Urbank on November 15, 1969 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Jefferson.

Duane was a truck driver all of his working career, spending many years with Ken Forging, Hoerner Waldorf and Boczar Trucking before retirement.  He was associated with the Jefferson United Methodist Church.  Duane’s relaxing time included, mowing lawns, weekly steam baths and saunas at the old Mello Steam Bath in the harbor & the YMCA, then stopping for a beer and visiting friends, regularly doing this until September of this year.

Survivors include his children, Gloria (Ray) Santee of Virginia Beach, VA, Kim Gates of Ashtabula, Nancie (Daniel) Welton of Tucson, AZ, Douglas (Deborah) Urbank of Cortland & Herman (Nina) Urbank of Dublin; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Audrey Fox of Geneva; a brother Ken (Ann) Gates of Cincinnati;  sisters-in-laws, Dorothy Gates of Austinburg, Rose Beardow of Saybrook Twp., Esther Armstrong of Ashtabula & Jean Herman in Arkansas; cousins including Dick Fischer & Kay Lillie and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Helen on 7/27/18, a son, Greg Gates, a granddaughter, Natasha Urbank and brothers, Lyle & Russell Gates.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to “his girls” from Respite for Families, especially, Debbie, Nita, Rhonda, Gail, Crystal & Aimee.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Jefferson United Methodist Church, 125 E. Jefferson St., Jefferson with the Rev. Doug Winner officiating.  Burial will be in Eagleville Cemetery where Geneva Post #6846 of the VFW will render military honors.

A casual informal gathering in memory of Duane will be held from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM prior to the service in the Angel’s Wing at the church.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Jefferson United Methodist Church (above address). The Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory and staff, Jefferson, Ashtabula & Geneva are honored to serve the Duane Gates family.  Visit fleming-billman.com to express condolences, view obituary or light a candle.

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