Joseph Lane Gates

Joseph Lane Gates, 20 months of age, of Lehigh Acres, died Friday, May 6, 2011. He was born August 28, 2009 in Puyallup, Wash., the son of Kyle and Amanda Smith Gates.

His family offered the following:

“In his eyes you found happiness, in his smile you found peace. His character was heartwarming, to say the least. He would come running to the ones he loved, but that was many like the Lord above. He loved everyone as they loved him, now he’s in Heaven as he committed no sin. He was loved and we will never forget, for he touched everyone’s heart more than a little bit. To Joe Joe, for the ones who love you, you will be missed, but we know you’re in the Lord’s arms and we know you’ve been kissed.”

He is survived by his parents, Kyle and Amanda; his brother, Jason Wade Gates; sister, Kylee Ann Gates; grandparents, Patricia (Mark) Schuller of Spanaway, Wash., Cindy Gates of Bonita Springs, Fla., Jerry (Cassandra) Smith of Roy, Wash., and Robert Gates of Eatonville, Wash.; great grandmother, Dorsey Rockwell of Bonita Springs; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday May 11, 2011 at 4 p.m. at Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home, 28300 Tamiami Trail S., Bonita Springs.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made for his brother and sister, in care of Kyle or Amanda Gates, PO Box 1655, Eatonville, Wash., 98328.