Eldon Gardner Bates (1914-1929)

BATES, GARDNER

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 5/21/2005 at 07:54:02

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, August 15, 1929, page 1, column 2. "ELDON BATES. - Funeral services for Eldon Bates, 14, were held Sunday afternoon, August 4, from the Methodist church at Napier. Eldon Gardner Bates, son of Eland Bates and Myrtle Gardner Bates, of Napier, was born December 18, 1914, and died August 1, 1929, at 8:10 p. m. He was born and spent the years of his boyhood on the farm west of Napier. He grew as a normal, healthy lad, interested in all the life about him, on the farm, in the school and in the church. He had finished the first year of high school this past spring. He took part in all school activities and was a loyal member of the Boy Scout organization. He gave his heart to Christ at Easter time of 1926 and was received into the Napier Methodist church. He became ill two weeks before his death and was at once put under the doctor's care and later taken to the Methodist hospital in Des Moines. In spite of all that loving hearts and human hands could do, he passed away on Thursday evening. He leaves to mourn his departure his father and mother, his brothers, Elnathan and Lloyd; his sisters, Roine, Dorothy, Evelyn and Ruth; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Gardner, also many other relatives and friends. Eldon was a joy and comfort to his father and mother, a loving brother and comrade to his family and friends. In his short span of life he had won the respect and love of everyone who knew him. Greatest of all, his young heart clung to the Christian ideals of his home and church. Within his quiet nature was a faith in Christ deep and strong. Again we are helped to understand that the length of life is not measured by days but by deeds. We live not by the quantity of years but by the quality of heart and soul. The fulness** of his short life has added that which length of days alone could not give. We are assured that his life so nobly begun is being carried to perfect fruition in the home country of our souls, within our Father's house." **Editorial note - spelling from original newspaper article is used.