Dolores M. Gates

Dolores M. Gates, 93, of Lewisburg, died on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

She was born on July 9, 1927 in Numidia, the daughter of the late Edward and Anna (Thomas) Unangst.  As a young girl, Dolores resided in Catawissa, where she graduated from high school.   She received a bachelor’s degree in music education from West Chester State Teachers College in 1949 and taught music in several schools throughout Pennsylvania.

In 1950 she married Rev. Victor K. Meredith Jr. and together they lived in Espy, Gettysburg, Lewisburg, Williamsport, Harrisburg and Wellsboro, where Victor served as a pastor and worked for the United Methodist Church on the Central Pennsylvania Conference staff.  He preceded her in death in 1997.

In 2000, she married Robert G. Gates, a professional musician and school teacher from Oxford.  He preceded her in death in 2005.

Dolores was a member of Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church, Lewisburg, and an affiliate member of Gold Canyon United Methodist Church, Gold Canyon, Arizona.  She was active in church work as a teacher and in assisting with music groups.  She sang in numerous choirs both in Pennsylvania and in Arizona, where she spent many winters.  In earlier years, Dolores was a camp counselor and director of summer youth events.  

She enjoyed sewing, especially designing and making clothing, crafts, and reading.  Dolores cherished time camping and traveling in her motor home.  She also loved ballroom dancing and challenge square dancing.  Most important, and her first priority, was always her family.

Surviving are her children, Janette Hicks and her husband, Edward, of Greene, NY, Randy Meredith, of New Cumberland, Diana Wigmore, of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, and Jacqueline Elias and her husband, Gerald, of Manchester, NJ; a sister-in-law, Joan Unangst, of Wellsboro; six grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; two step children and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husbands, she was predeceased by one brother, Edward Unangst, and one grandchild, Jessica Wigmore.

Friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 15 at Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. with Rev. Leah Williams and Rev. John Dromazos, officiating.

Burial will be held at 3:00 p.m. in Elan Memorial Park, Bloomsburg.

The family is being assisted by Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, South Second and St. Louis Streets, Lewisburg.

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