Obituary – Richard Gates
Peoria Journal Star
June 17, 1997
Page D7
DEER CREEK — Richard LeRoy Gates, 50, of 32177 Bernauer Road died at 3:05 p.m. Sunday, June 15, 1997, at his home.
Born Nov. 28, 1946, in Peoria to Charles Albert Sr. and Dorothy Crowley Gates, he married Charlotte Wright-Atkinson on June 25, 1966, in Peoria. She survives.
Also surviving are his mother of Peoria; three sons, Bradley of West Peoria, and Christopher and Scott, both of Deer Creek; one brother, Charles A. Jr. of Geneva; two granddaughters; and one stepgranddaughter. Two sons preceded him in death.
He was employed by Komatsu Dresser Mining System for 32 years, last working in April 1997 as manager of systems development.
He was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Eureka. He was a former Cub Scout master for Pack 186 for 10 years. He coached the Deer Creek Summer Baseball Program. He was active with the Deer Creek Parent-Teacher Association and was co-chair of the Butcher Shop for the PTA’s annual Pancake and Sausage Supper for many years.
He was a member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association and the Bloomington-Normal Rabbit Club. In October 1996, he was instrumental in the American Rabbit Breeders Association National Convention in Peoria.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at his church. The Rev. Dominic J. Vitaliano will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Ludwig-Rohrschneider Mortuary in Morton, with recitation of the rosary at 7:30 p.m. Additional visitation will be from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery, Deer Creek.
Memorials may be made to Methodist Medical Center Hospice Program, 221 NE Glen Oak, Peoria, Ill. 61636 or the Children’s Home, 416 St. Mark’s Court, Suite 500, Peoria, Ill. 61603.