Kelly Gatton (1928-1993)

SHEELY, GATTON, FULLER, BLOM, BUNTING, RYAN, KAUFFMAN

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 1/24/2020 at 17:56:04

Kelly Gatton, age 81, of 102 Highland passed away January 16, 1993 at Mahaska County Hospital. He was born March 17, 1911 north of Rose Hill, Iowa to Warren and Harriet Sheely Gatton. Kelly attended Center School in Monroe Township and graduated from Rose Hill High School in 1928.

Kelly was united in marriage to Buelah Fuller on December 3, 1930 in Sigourney, Iowa and together they made their home in rural Rose Hill. In 1933 Kelly was appointed Corn-Sealer Warehouse Man for Mahaska County and served this position for 17 years. in 1936 he was Monroe Township Chairman for Agriculture Adjustment Program. At this time Kelly was a seed salesman for Pioneer Seed. In 1937 Kelly started Gatton Realty from his home in Rose Hill. In 1943 he was appointed to the Ration Board for Mahaska County. In 1957 Kelly moved Gatton Realty Business from Rose Hill to his home in Oskaloosa where he and Buelah operated the business until December of 1974 when the business was moved to A Avenue West. Kelly retired from Gatton Realty in 1987. Kelly served 16 years on the Inheritance Tax Commission for the State of Iowa as well as 16 years on the Assessment and Review Board for the City of Oskaloosa. Kelly help organize the Iowa State Farm Multiple Listing Service and served as President of that organization in 1952. Kelly was a member of the Rotary Club of Oskaloosa, in which he is a Paul Harris Member. This is given to a Rotary member who has contributed a substantial monetary amount to the Rotary Foundation. He is a member of the Elks, past member of the Eagles and a member of the Board of Realtors for over 50 years.

Kelly is survived by his wife, Buelah of Oskaloosa; one daughter and her husband, Marjorie and Paul Blom of Pella, Iowa; one brother, Robert and his wife, Donna Gatton of Oskaloosa; two sisters, Beulah and her husband Dwight Bunting of Oskaloosa and Bernece and her husband, Raymond Ryan of New Sharon, Iowa; five grandchildren, Steve Gatton of West Des Moines, Dean Gatton of Ankeny, Iowa, Brad Blom of Harvey, Iowa, Lynn Gatton of Elk River, Minnesota, and Leigh Christenson of Oskaloosa; three step-grandchildren, Allen Kauffman, Clifford Kauffman, and Todd Kauffman of Harrison, Arkansas; 8 great great grandchidren; one daughter-in-law, Carol Jane Gatton of Harrison, Arkansas; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Kelly was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Gary; and a granddaughter, Brenda Blom.

Buelah and Kelly Gatton's travels: All 48 states including Hawaii and Alaska; Mexico and Canada; all countries of Western Europe, England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland; Russia; Spain and Portugal; Morocco; Gibraltar; Monaco; several Caribbean Islands; several South Seas Islands; and Australia and New Zealand, including the famous Outback.

Funeral services were held in Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel Wednesday morning, January 20, 1993, at Ten Thirty O'Clock with Rev. Michael Crouch of First Christian Church presiding. Interment: Forest Cemetery.

(from Kelly's funeral card)