Robert Lee Gates, 77, went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015 in Mt. Vernon, IN.

He was born April 23, 1938 in Evansville son of Arthur Gates and Geneva Patton.

Bob was a self employed welder, mechanic and truck driver having worked for Farm Bureau, Meisler and D. K. Parker.

Survivors include his mother, Geneva Patton, daughter, Julie ( Ralph ) Templeton; sons, Jeff and Wayne (Linda) Gates; 7 grandchildren, Christopher, Michael Templeton, Jonathan, Noah, Matthias, Serenity, Trinity Gates; 3 great-grandchildren, Aslan, Abigail, Faith Templeton; nephew and great-nephew, Steven and K.D. Patton and their family.

He was preceded in death by his father, wife, Margaret Jane; brothers, Gerald Gates and Doug Patton; grandson, Jason Gates.

Services will be held on Wed. Dec, 23, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Holders Funeral Home in Owensville with Christopher Templeton officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the service time. The family would like to personally thank Debbie and Sue for their compassionate care and all the staff at the Mt. Vernon Nursing and Rehab Center, Harvest Time Temple as well as the Heritage Hospice Group.