Dorothy Marie (Sidley) Gates

Surrounded by her loving family, Dorothy Marie Gates passed away on September 1, 2025, at the Austinburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was 95 years old.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend, she dedicated her life to her family and will be most remembered by her sense of humor, her strength and resiliency and her unwavering love.  She was the heart of her family, always making sure everyone was taken care of and of course, well fed.

Dorothy was born February 16, 1930, the second of five children to James and Irma (Andrews) Sidley from Thompson, Ohio. After graduating from Thompson High School in 1946, she worked as a nursing assistant in Chardon. Her young life was never the same after joining her sisters for a night of dancing at Jewels Dance Hall in Austinburg, where she met the love of her life, Paul “Lyle” Gates. They quickly fell in love and were married on April 18, 1953. They moved to Jefferson, Ohio, where Lyle was born and raised, and where they would raise a family and become beloved members of the community.

Dorothy dedicated her life to her pride and joy - her family. She had five children, 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Her home was always filled with the smell of good food, warm cookies, lots of love and warm hugs. While supporting her husband in his growing lumber business, she was involved with the community and volunteered at the schools and the American Red Cross.  

She is survived by her beloved children Russ (Pam) Gates, Ron (Kim) Gates, Kelly (Phil) Sholtis, Paula (Brent Bauer) Jurcenko; Grandchildren Geoffrey (Becca) Gates, Megan (Kyle) Stull, Chris Sholtis, Kyle (Racheal) Sholtis, Matt Gates, Ryan Gates, Halle Gates, Aly (Duston) Seibert, Emily (Ashley Arabia) Jurcenko, Alexandria Bauer, Katarina (Zach) Huffman, and Jacob Bauer; Great Grandchildren Delaney, Fiona, Grayson, Taryn, Casen, Jaimy, Joseph, Benjamin, Quinnly and Haizley; her sister Jeannette (Thomas) Hejduk. 

She is preceded in death by her husband Paul “Lyle” Gates, her first-born son Jeffrey Alan Gates, her parents James and Irma Sidley, her sisters Mary Louise Crocker and Jackie Loveland and her brother James Sidley.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at the Fleming Funeral Home, 49 W. Jefferson Street, Jefferson, on Thursday, September 4th.   Calling hours will start at 10 a.m. followed by a funeral home service at 11 a.m., then a gravesite service at Oakdale Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to gather afterwards to share memories and stories, details will be announced.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the loving staff of the Austinburg Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for taking such amazing care of Dorothy during her 11-year stay.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to The American Red Cross. You can mail donations to: Fleming-Billman, P.O. Box 201, Jefferson, Ohio 44047 and they will be forwarded to the family to be sent on to the Red Cross or to https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/ -

Dorothy will be remembered for her quiet strength and her ability to find joy in the simplest moments as well as the most difficult ones.

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