Gordon K Kater

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 3, 2020 at Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Rev. Kevin Ray officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, with Military Rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard. Memorials may be given to the First Christian Church of Shelbyville.

Gordon was born on February 1, 1926 in Beaver Creek, Oregon, the son of August Karl and Amelia Davidson Kater. He graduated from Sadorus High School and went on to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Gordon farmed in the Westervelt area and also worked for the Oliver Corporation in Shelbyville and Norfolk Southern Railway in Decatur. He attended the First Christian Church of Shelbyville and was a former member of Moose Lodge #1294 of Shelbyville. Gordon was an avid fan of St. Louis Cardinals Baseball and Fighting Illini Basketball. He married Juanita M. Smith Wakeland on November 23, 1979 in Shelbyville, IL. She preceded him in death on December 26, 2016.

Gordon is survived by his daughters, Nancy Pinkston (Don) of Shelbyville, IL, and Brenda McClain (Ron) of Findlay, IL; son, John “Billy” Wakeland Jr. of Shelbyville, IL; sister, Mildred Everett of Strasburg, IL; brother, Bernard Kater (Ruth) of Pleasant Hope, MO; six grandchildren, Dawn Gee (Jim), Mendi Getz, Marci Frederick (Nate), Ronald “Bubba” McClain (Maranda), Matt McClain (Shelby), Brett Wakeland (Courtney); 15 great grandchildren, Erin, Lane, Kelsi, Madison, Jade, Natalie, Delani, Bella, Ryker, Ellie, Makinley, Teagen, Brewer, Owen, and Oakley; three great-great grandchildren, Edison, Luke, and Lee; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dorman Kater; and brother-in-law Enfer Everett.

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