67-year-old Fairfield resident, Leonard Cates passed away Tuesday afternoon, March 3 at the home of his daughter, Cristy, after a long battle with cancer.
Leonard was born July 10, 1952 in Rochelle, Illinois. He was the son of Leonard and Mabel (Cox) Cates. Leonard was a veteran of the United States Army, and had worked as a laborer for North American Lighting for 11 years. He was a member of the VFW Post 4535.
Leonard is survived by three daughters, Cristy (Sheldon) Bunting of Fairfield, Kimberly (Teddy Anderson) Hutchcraft of Cisne, and Casey (Keith) White of Geff; One son, Kevin Cates of Boston, Massachusetts; one brother, Vernon (Cathy) Cates of Fairfield; two sisters, Robin (Robert) Hooper of Geff and Kay Kaus of Benton, KY; Eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Preceding Leonard in death were his parents, two brothers and one sister.
Funeral services for Leonard Cates will be Friday, March 6th at 11:00am at Nale’s Funeral Home in Fairfield. Burial will follow in Richland Cemetery southwest of Fairfield with full military rites provided by Anthony Wayne Post 176 American Legion and Wayne Memorial Post 4535 VFW. A visitation will be from 9am until time of the service at 11am at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.nalesfuneralhome.com. Nale’s Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.