Ed Gates

Ed (Carroll Edwin) Gates, age 89, of Grand Rapids, passed away on Saturday, December 8, 2018 and entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior. Ed was born on December 9, 1928 in Altoona, PA. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Schneider Gates. Surviving are his wife of 21 years, Virginia “Ginny” (Datema) Gates; two daughters, Mary Gates-VanGoor and Ruth Ritsema, and Ginny’s children who he loved as his own, Sue and Dave Kapteyn, Mike and Michelle Datema, Doug and Rhonda Datema. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and a sister-in-law, Roma Barrett. Ed worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Co. for 38 years until his retirement. He was a master wood-worker and an avid Penn State football fan. His love of Ginny and his Lord were paramount in his life. The family will receive friends at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Chapel from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14th, and for one hour prior to the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at First Byron Center Christian Reformed Church, 8541 Byron Center Ave.  For those who wish memorials may be made to the Metropolitan Choir, c/o Bert Bakhuyzen, 3325 Dover Crossing Ct., Grandville, MI 49418.

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