Agnes Cates
Alton | Save
Agnes Arlene Cates, 76, died at 10:24 p.m., Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at the Robings Manor in Brighton after a period of declining health.
She was born in Rosedale Township, Jersey County, Il on Jan. 2, 1935, and was one of four children born to the late Raymond C. & Jewell (McAdams) Groppel.
She graduated in 1953 from Jersey Community High School in Jerseyville and soon married Ralph J. Cates on Sept. 5, 1953. Together, they have shared 58 years together and are the proud parents of six children, three boys and three girls.
Agnes began her professional career at Mallinckrodt Chemical in St. Louis, and was employed as a lab technician at Monsanto in St. Louis as well.
She and her husband Ralph were loyal & devoted members of the Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Godfrey where they both served as custodians for 30 years. Agnes also served on numerous church boards and committees along with serving as head usher for several years.
After retiring, she pursued a lifelong passion of photography, and became an accomplished nature photographer, earning several awards in recognition of her work.
Surviving are her husband, Ralph J. Cates of Alton; three daughters and a son in law, Monica Howerton of Bunker Hill, Beverly & Fred Disch of New Braunfels, Tx., and Carol Asbury of Alton; three sons & daughters in law, Joseph & Caye Cates of Yakima, Wa., Jay & Pam Cates of Brighton, and David & Ginger Cates of Santa Fe, NM.; 15 Grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; two brothers & sisters in law, Harold "Ted" and Wanda Groppel of Jerseyville, and Drs. Stanley & Carol Groppel of Clarksville, Tn.; a sister & brother in law, Judy & Rev. John Hartleroad of Springfield.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son in law, Kenneth Howerton Jr. on June 7, 2011.
A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, January 6, 2012 at the Godfrey Congregational Church at 6104 Godfrey Road, Godfrey, Illinois. Visitation will be from 9 a.m., until time of memorial services at 11 a.m. at the church with a catered meal to follow in the church fellowship hall.
Memorials may be given to the St. Louis Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association, Campus Box 8111, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Mo. 63110-1010
Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville is assiting the family with these arrangements.
Crawford Funeral Home
