Eleanor G. Gates

Eleanor G. Gates CENTERVILLE - Eleanor G. Gates, 86, of 13840 Steadman Road, Centerville, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, at Meadville Medical Center. She was born Sept. 11, 1922, at Enterprise, a daughter of the late Carl and Fanny Bills Wright. She married Frederick C. Gates, Oct. 8, 1941. He preceded her in death Feb. 1, 1981.She had worked with her husband at Frederick's Machine Tool Co. until his death in l981. She had also been a certified nurse's aide. She had volunteered at Maplewood Elementary School and was previously an emergency medical technician with Townville Ambulance.She enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren, and especially liked hunting. For several years, she had held the vacation Bible school at her home.Survivors include, a son, Dan Gates and his wife, Karen, of Centerville; a daughter, Dixie Woods and her husband, William, of Centerville; a son, Andy Gates and his wife, Beverly, of Titusville; a son, Rex Gates and his wife, Rose, of Centerville; and a son, Chris Gates and his wife, Janice, of Cochranton; 23 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren; a sister, Hazel Stephens of Kane; a brother, Walter Wright and his wife, Shirley, of Mansfield, Ohio; and two sisters-in-law, Joyce Wright and Shirley Wright, both of Grand Valley. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two great-grandchildren, Jason Gates and Jessica Gates; five sisters and their spouses, Eva Crawford and her husband, Russell, Mabel Fenstermaker and her husband, Harold, Helen Tanner and her husband, Bun, Florence Wright and her husband, Guy, and Dorothy Wright; and four brothers, Donald Wright and his wife, Frances, Ford Wright and his wife Alberta, Paul Wright and Gene Wright.Calling hours will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., and Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. at Willis L. Arnold Funeral Home, Main Street, Townville.The funeral and committal service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Steve Tiffany of Diamond United Methodist Church officiating.Burial will be in Peaceful Acres Cemetery, Steadman Road, Centerville.