WHAT CHEER —
Kenneth Gatton, 82, of What Cheer died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 at Serenity House Hospice in Oskaloosa. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Chapel in What Cheer. Visitation will begin at noon on Tuesday with the family present from 5 – 8 p.m. Burial will be in Rice Cemetery near What Cheer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to What Cheer Fire and Rescue or Serenity House Hospice of Oskaloosa. Friends may sign the online guest book at www.hollandcoblefuneralhome.com.
Kenneth Allan Gatton was born July 21, 1929 near What Cheer, Iowa, the son of Marvin and Grace Wood Gatton. After he completed grammar school, Kenneth began farming in the What Cheer area. On July 3, 1953, he was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Jarvis in Iowa City. To this union, two sons were born. Kenneth was extremely passionate about his farm. During his career he sold sixty-four crops and received two Iowa Corn Master’s back to back as well as, an Iowa Soy Bean Master’s Award. Kenneth led by example through hard work, honesty, and integrity. He treasured his family, farming, and fishing. He also enjoyed gardening and mushroom hunting. Regardless of how busy he was, Kenneth always made time for his grandchildren. He taught them to believe that it is not a problem, if it can be solved.
He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother Keith Gatton, and his wife Barbara.
Kenneth is survived by two sons: Mike (Cindy) Gatton of What Cheer and Steve (Renee) Gatton of Delta. His legacy will be honored by six grandchildren: Joe (Stacey) Gatton of Beacon, Avery (Bethany) Gatton of New Sharon, Ben Gatton of What Cheer, Sarah (Mike) Hughes of Oskaloosa, Courtney (Dana) Banks of Clinton, MO, and Kendall (Lindsey) Gatton of Harper. Kenneth’s life was also blessed with seventeen great-grandchildren.
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February 6, 2012
