PATRICIA J. GATES

Patricia Joy Gates, 80, of Columbia City, passed away Wednesday January 2, 2013 at University Park Health and Rehabilitation Center in Fort Wayne.She was born February 1, 1932 in Whitley County, IN, to the late Carl and Loretta (Armel) Bridegam.

Patricia graduated from Columbia City High School with the Class of 1950.She retired from Parkview Whitley Hospital where she worked in the cafeteria.She was also a member of the Whitley County Home Demonstration Club and Tri-Lakes Baptist Church.

Survivors include her loving husband of 59 years, Paul Gates of Columbia City; daughters, Laramie (David) Resler of Churubusco, and Lucy (Terry) Berzenye of Fort Wayne; 4 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sisters, Garnet (Jack) Pettigrew of Auburn, Irene (Cliff) Gagnon of Leesburg, and Aletha (Paul) Sills of Fort Wayne; brother, Marvin (Ellen) Bridegam of Columbia City; sisters-in-law, Karen Bridegam and Lois Bridegam both of Columbia City and Karen Bridegam of Fort Worth, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Loretta Bridegam, brothers, Harold, Paul, Thomas, and Von Bridegam and sister-in-law, Lela Bridegam.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the Tri-Lakes Baptist Church, 5679 N. Center Street, Columbia City. Burial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tri-Lakes Baptist Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, Columbia City.