John Marks Tate's Obituary
John Marks Tate, 78 of Alliance, passed on to eternity at 12:00 noon on Saturday August 9th. He breathed his last, peacefully with his family singing and praying at his bedside. He was born November 13, 1929 in Wooster Oh to the late John Marks Tate Sr. and Quintilla (Orr) Tate. John was a retired journeyman plumber, Local 94, having spent 50 years of his life in the trade. He later was employed by West Branch schools as their Maintenance Supervisor. John was a family man and a man of God, supporting and serving many churches throughout his life and was currently a member of the Salem United Methodist Church. He taught Sunday School, was a youth leader, sang tenor in the church choir and led his family in the Christian faith. John s passion for singing allowed him to be the invited soloist for countless weddings, local theater productions and other community events. John was a member of the Masons Conrad Lodge, the Tadmor Shrine and was a 32nd Degree member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Canton. Those left to carry on are his loving wife of 58 years, Elda (Lapp) Tate and daughters Debra (Robert P. II) Graham, Diane (Richard N.) Dillon and Donna (Michael R.) Smeltz. He was blessed by 7 grandchildren, Jessica (Maurice) Frank, parents of great-grandsons Ethan and Owen, Melissa B. Graham, mother of great-grand-children Noah and Isabella, Robert J. (Emily) Graham, parents of great-grandson Ryan Morris, Katie A. Dillon, Joshua R. Dillon, Zachary M. (Sarah) Smeltz and Matthew J. Smeltz. In addition, he is survived by a sister, Helen (Ed) Cross and a brother, Vinson (Jo) Tate. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his sister and her husband, Jean and Curly Buchanan, and brother-in-law, Ed Cross. Calling hours will be held at the First Baptist Church on Tuesday August 12, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. with the family present from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. A memorial celebration will be held in John s honor at 12:00 noon on Tuesday August 12, 2008 at the First Baptist Church, 1659 W State St, Alliance OH, with the Reverend Gordon Thomas, the Reverend Katie Ann Dillon and Luke Oskin co-officiating. Interment will follow at Fairmount Memorial Park. For he shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you up in their hands, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
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