Merle Dean Gates was born July 14, 1936 in Triplett, Missouri and departed this life on Friday, November 18, 2016, surrounded by the love of his family, at his home in Strasburg, Missouri, at the age of 80 years, 4 months and 4 days.
He was the son of Roy Winfield and Dorris Elizabeth (Gronquist) Gates. Merle spent his younger years in the Brunswick and Mendon, Missouri area, and attended Northwestern High School. In the mid 1950’s, Merle moved to Kansas City, Missouri and worked for the First National Bank of Kansas City, followed by a sales position at Sunshine Biscuit Co. Later he worked in sales for Lomar Specialty Food Distributor where he worked for over 20 years until his retirement. In the early 80’s, Merle became interested in the auction business and attended school to become an auctioneer. After completing his training, he founded Mer-Joy Auction Services in Strasburg, Missouri and moved there to make his home. Over the 30 years he owned and operated Mer-Joy Action Services, Merle won numerous awards in his field. Merle’s recent declining health forced his retirement, but he would forever remain the “consummate auctioneer”.
On November 11, 2004, Merle was united in marriage with Clare Shastid McMillian in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and they continued to make their home in Strasburg. After their marriage, Clare became a valuable addition to Merle’s auction business. Merle was preceded in death by his parents, R.W. and Dorris Gates; one son, Mark Gates on July 13, 2009 and two brothers, Leroy and Glen Gates.
He is survived by his wife, Clare Gates of the home; one son, Mike Gates and Barbara Coe of Strasburg, Missouri; two step-children, Lisa Plattner and husband Mike of Shawnee, Kansas and Shan Lynn and wife Nancy of Kansas City, Missouri; one brother, Jack Gates of Bates City, Missouri; two sisters, Joan Dulaney and husband Wayne of Raytown, Missouri and Jean Klos and husband Jim of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; four grandchildren; one great grandchild, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.
Funeral Service for Merle D. Gates will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 28, 2016 at the Wallace Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill, with Dr. Ron Wilson and Brother Jerry Crain officiating. Casketbearers will be, Mike Gates, J.P. Godfrey, Mike Plattner, Kent Johnson, Shan Lynn and Brent Gates. Burial will be in the Strasburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Sunday, November 27, 2016 at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Merle Gates may be made to National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 1848, Longmont, CO 80502 (www.npcf.us), or left at the funeral home.
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