John F. Gates

March 14, 1945 - November 28, 2021

John F. Gates, 76, of Anna, OH, passed away 9:33 a.m., Sun. Nov. 28, 2021, at his residence with his loving wife at his side. He was born March 14, 1945, in Sidney, OH, the son of the late John & Viola (Allen) Gates. He was married to Nancy R. (Hughes) Gates for 38 years, and she died Aug. 14, 2004. On March 14, 2009, he married Sandra M. (Johns) Gates, and she survives. Other survivors included, 3 children, Linda Ross, John Gates, Jr., Danny Joe Gates, 9 stepchildren, Charles (Heidi) Miller, II, Jennifer (Clint) Wright, Craig (Renee) Miller, Jennelle (Lucas) Wright, Chad (Mindy) Miller, Christopher (Jessica) Miller, Jeanette Zimmerman, Michael (Erika) Hahn, Sheila (Joe Kelley) Hahn, stepdaughter-in-law, Casey Miller, 35 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 4 siblings, Robert (Genene) Gates, Harbour Springs, FL, Rose Clark, Raymond (Maxine) Gates, May Hughes, all of Sidney, OH, several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. He was preceded in death by a special stepson, Curtis Miller; 2 sisters, Helen Lightle & Erma Walker; and 2 brothers, Virgil Gates & Gary Gates. John retired from Copeland Corp., Sidney, in 2008 as a repairman on the cast iron body line after 41 years of service. In 2010, he was received into the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wapakoneta. He attended the Chapel every Wednesday to spend an hour with Jesus. John enjoyed camping and fishing, especially when family and friends were with him. He loved celebrating the holidays with his family. John enjoyed his puzzle books and watching The Ohio State Buckeyes. He liked playing card games, especially 31 because he always won. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Fri. Dec. 3, 2021, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wapakoneta, with Fr. Sean Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in the Shelby Memory Gardens, Sidney, OH. The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m., Thurs. at the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, St. Rt. 501, Wapakoneta. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Wilson Health Hospice. Condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.