Iona B. (Johnston) Gates
Iona B. Gates died at her home on Thursday, December 13, 2012. It was her 91st birthday.
She was born December 13, 1921 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to the late John and Inez (Erzinger) Johnston and graduated in 1939 from Shelby High School. Iona worked at Ben Franklin in Shelby for many years. Prior to her time there Iona raised her five children. A selfless person, she helped her children through college by sewing, making draperies and upholstering furniture out of her home. Iona was a very active member of First United Church of Christ where she was an elder, deacon, and Sunday school teacher, along with many other duties. She was the Meals on Wheels coordinator, HelpLine volunteer and was the recipient of the Jess Rath Community Service Award. She also served as a poll worker for many elections, Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den mother, 4-H advisor and was on the Shade Tree Commission for 25 years. Her hobbies included quilting as she used her time and talents to create baby quilts for the ABC Quilt Project.
Iona, the last of nine children, is survived by a daughter: Patricia (Robert) Saltzgaber of Ashland; 3 sons: David (Arlene) Gates of Sydney, OH; Garland John (Patti Welch) Gates of Shelby; Charles Herrera of Palm Springs, CA; 4 grandchildren: Michael (Kris) Gates, Lisa Gates, Patti Saltzgaber, and Tiffany (Charles) Hill; 6 great grandchildren; a brother-in-law: Paul Foote of Seneca Falls, NY. She was preceded in death by her husband: Garland J. Gates in 1988 and by 2 sons: Bruce Reed Gates in 1995 and Carl Jeffrey Gates in 2010.
Friends may call on Monday, December 17, 2012 from 1-2 PM at the First United Church of Christ, 23 Church Street, Shelby where funeral services will be at 2 PM conducted by Pastor Bob Flint. Burial will be in Sandusky Township Cemetery. Memorial expressions may be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio or to the church. Care was given to the Gates family by Turner Funeral Home, Shelby.
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