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Obituary for Justine Irene Gates
Justine Irene Gates, age 102, died September 19,2021, at Devonshire Senior Living in Lapeer, MI. Born September 8, 1919, in Ossian, IN to Clarence & Orpha (Krauter) Lahrman. She was married to J. Richard (Dick) Gates in 1941, until his death 47 years later.
She was employed at Wolf and Dessauer in Fort Wayne, IN, then during WWII Dick served in Europe with the Army Air Corps and Justine became an inspector at the GE plant making Super Charger engines. She later worked for Tecumseh Products Export and the city of Tecumseh. In 1975 Justine and Richard established Gates Nursery & Garden Center in Sturgis, MI.
Justine was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Kalamazoo, First Presbyterian Church of Lapeer and a past member of; St. Katherine's Guild, KVLNA, WBCCI Airstream, American Rose Society, Cotillion Dance Club and Kalamazoo Newcomers Club. She enjoyed family, parties, traveling, cooking, golf, duplicate bridge, current events, as well as raising prize roses and dahlias.
Surviving are her children Carolyn (Gene) Lyons of Vicksburg, Barbara (Ken) Dick of Lapeer, and Dr. Jim (Carol Lienhart) Gates of Florida; grandchildren Lorene (Scott) Taylor, Rhonda Lyons, Jason Lyons, Andrew (Laurie) Dick, Christine Tunney, Joshua (Amanda) Dick, Fallon Gates and Blade Gates of Michigan; great-grandchildren Hayden Taylor, Forest (Kristen) Taylor, Chantal Taylor, Heath Taylor, Rebekah Dick, Brecken Lyons, Anya Lyons, Adi Lyons, Skylar Dick; great-great grandchild Leena Taylor; sisters-in-law Carolyn Lahrman and Jean Lahrman; also many nieces and nephews.
She was proceeded in death by her husband J. Richard (Dick) Gates; parents Clarence & Orpha (Krauter) Lahrman; brothers Clifford, Charles, Verlin, Clarence F. Jr., and Dr. Don Lahrman; sister Kathryn Walper.
Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors - Capstick Chapel in Lapeer. A memorial services will be held on Nov. 26th at 11AM at St. Luke Episcopal Church, 247 W Lovell St. Kalamazoo, MI 49007. An inurnment with military honors will be held on Nov. 26th at 2PM at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI.
In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Deacons Fund of First Presbyterian Church of Lapeer or Residential Home and Hospice of Lapeer. The family is grateful for the excellent care from the staff at Devonshire and Residential Hospice.
