Thelma M. Gates of Galion passed away on Monday, April 8, 2019 from natural causes. She was born January 1, 1930 in Joplin, Missouri. Thelma was a beloved wife, mother, sister and daughter.
Thelma loved quilting and spent over 40 years making quilts of love for her family and friends along with making homemade cookies. She loved to tend to her flower garden in the spring, summer, and fall. Thelma had an enormous heart full of love for her family.
She is survived by a brother Thelbert Ledford of California; three children, Anna Jean Leapley of Ohio, Nadine (Jeff) Tomecko of Tennessee and Raymond Alton (Cindy) Gates III of North Carolina; eight grandchildren, Steven (Cindy) Leapley of California, Brian (Melissa) Faubush of Kentucky, Dustin (Donna) Tomecko of Ohio, Jason (Angela) Tomecko of Tennessee, Josie (Jason) Deane of Indiana, Teresa (Derrick) Brooks of North Carolina, Cheyenne Gates of North Carolina and Dallas Gates of North Carolina; 14 great grandchildren, Chelsea Wells, Jordan, Micah, Daisey, Slater, Kai, and Piper Leapley, Gunnar Faubush-Baker, Wensday, Echo, Ejypt, Fairy, Lorelei, and Jayce Tomecko, Caleb and Hunter Deane and two great-great grandchildren, Cain Zavier and Hendrix Lee.
Thelma is preceded in death by husband Raymond “Jack” Alton Gates Jr, twin children, two brothers, one sister, and son-in-law Jim Leapley.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2019 at Crawford County Memory Gardens in Crestline with Rev. Joe Stafford officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the funeral home.
Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes in Galion is honored to serve the family of Thelma Gates, and condolences may be made to them at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.