Donald Wayne Gates, 73, of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, formerly of Mexico, passed away on Friday, September 30, 2022, at Aurora Medical Center.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, at Arnold Funeral Home with Carroll Dollens officiating. Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.

Donald was born on March 12, 1949, in Mexico, the son of John Junior and Velma Ruth (Dollens) Gates. He married Debra Finney on December 22, 1995, at their home.

Donald enjoyed wearing interesting t-shirts with phrases on them that would give others a laugh. He enjoyed playing pool, shuffle board, darts, marbles and cards. Donald loved fireworks. He would give every child under the age of 12 a bag of fireworks every year. Spending time with his grandchildren was the highlight of his day.

He is survived by his wife, Debra of the home; three children, Mark (Tracy) Gates of Mexico, Janell Lucas (Danny Eldridge) of Kenosha, Wisconsin and Tammy Gates of Moberly; six grandchildren, Brittney Gates of Fulton, Matthew Gates of Mexico, Ema Eldridge of Kenosha, Thomas Metzler of Moberly, Aiden Eldridge of Kenosha and Ally Metzler of Moberly; three siblings, Kenneth Gates, Sharon McConniel and John Gates.

Donald is preceded in death by two children, Michael "Mikey" Gates and Christina Gates; his parents, John and Velma Gates; and two brothers, Ronald Gates and Dennis Gates.