Marilyn "Joice" Gates

Marilyn Joice "Joice" Gates, age 87, of Celina, passed away Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Briarwood Village in Coldwater.

She was born December 24, 1935, in Rockford, to the late Rollie Russell and Elsie Viola (Draper) Schmidt.

Joice and Theodore “Ted” Gates were married March 29, 1953.  They had celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary before Ted passed away on May 5, 2016.

She is survived by their sons: Rick (Linda) Gates and Kim Gates, and a daughter, Vickie (Roger) Black, all of Celina.

Also surviving are 15 grandchildren: April, Brandi, Brian, Jason, Nathan, Jessica, Amanda, Matthew, Joshua, Tosha, Kyle, Tiffany, Teddy, Shelby and Makayla, 36 great-grandchildren, a brother, Robert Schmidt, and a special niece and nephew: Paula (Mark) Ybarra and Kevin Walls.

Joice was preceded in death by sons: Michael Gates, in 1994 and Danny Gates, in 2017, daughter-in-law, Nicla Gates, a brother, Bill Schmidt, sisters: Bonnie Walls and Eva Lou Burd, and granddaughters: Melissa Ann Gates and Teka Nichole McDowell.

She was a Homemaker, and member of Celina Church of the Nazarene.  Joice loved going out to eat and attending auctions. 

She liked antiques and collected Depression Glassware, and also had a collection of Longaberger Baskets. 

Years ago, her family raised horses, and Joice enjoyed watching the horses and attending horse auctions.

Graveside Rites will be held at North Grove Cemetery in Celina, Pastor Chris Riffle presiding, with a Celebration of Life to follow.

The date and time of Services is pending.

Memorial Contributions may be made to EverHeart Hospice.
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marilyn "Joice" Gates, please visit our floral store.