Berlin R. Gatts, 95, of Moundsville, W.Va., died Saturday, December 17, 2011 at Reynolds Memorial Hospital.
He was born December 2, 1916 in Woodland, W.Va., a son to the late Clay S. and Retta Minor Gatts.
Mr. Gatts was a member of the First Christian Church in Moundsville. He was a member of the American Legion Post 3 and the VFW Post 437, both in Moundsville, and the Marshall County FOPA #112. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth Gatts and Marion Gatts; and four sisters, Beulah Richmond, Phyllis Paith, Ruth Lamb, and Maude Breeden.
Surviving are his loving wife of 71 years, Hilda E. Paith Gatts; one son, Jay T. Victoria Gatts of Crestline, Ohio; one daughter, Judy Ann Terry Wellman of Moundsville; one sister, Norma Jean Fred Holmes of Moundsville; three grandchildren, Tim Caroline Gatts of Roswell, Ga., Kristen Gregory Vilkoski of Glen Dale, W.Va., and Alita Josh Ross Wellman of Moundsville; two great grandchildren, Olivia Gatts of Roswell, Ga. and Elijah Ross of Moundsville; several nieces and nephews; and special caregiver, Betty Ross.
Friends will be received Tuesday, December, 20, 2011 from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, Lutes and Kirby-Vance Chapel, 118 Grant Ave. Moundsville, W.Va., where funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 11 am with Rev. Rodney Hubbs officiating.
Entombment will follow at Halcyon Hills Memorial Gardens, Sherrard, W.Va.
Military honors will be presented by the Moundsville VFW post 437.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at altmeyer.com.
Past Services
Visitation
Tuesday December 20, 2011
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Altmeyer Funeral Home - Lutes &Kirby Vance Chapel
118 Grant Ave.
Moundsville, WV 26041
304-845-4560 | Directions
118 Grant Ave.
Moundsville, WV 26041
304-845-4560 | Directions
Cemetery
Wednesday December 21, 2011
Service
Wednesday December 21, 2011
11:00 am
Altmeyer Funeral Home - Lutes &Kirby Vance Chapel
118 Grant Ave.
Moundsville, WV 26041
304-845-4560 | Directions
118 Grant Ave.
Moundsville, WV 26041
304-845-4560 | Directions
Visitation
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Altmeyer Funeral Home - Lutes &Kirby Vance Chapel
118 Grant Ave.
Moundsville, WV 26041
304-845-4560 | Directions
118 Grant Ave.
Moundsville, WV 26041
304-845-4560 | Directions
Friends of Don and Greta Paith
Hild, Judy, J.T. and Families,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Berlin was a very special guy. He was the guy in the neighborhood who would always listen to your stories. When I bought the Kyrc house and became your backyard neighbor … Berlin kept tabs on me. He offered adviced … told me my Dad would be telling me to get this and that fixed … and then he offer to help. I enjoyed being able to play cards with Hilda over the past summers when I was in town for the summer … and talking to Berlin. He was a special neighbor! God needed another master gardner in heaven!
PS.
Virginia flew down Tuesday for Christmas … she is sorry that she could be there with you today … Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
Hilda, Judy, JT and extended family of Berlin, please accept my condolences on your loss. When I speak of Berlin, so many things come to mind, and ends with a smile. I have known this man for a very very long time, almost like a second dad to me. This memory brought a smile to me this morning, as a little girl I recall running into the back yard at home and looking across the alley to see if Mr. & Mrs. Gatts were sitting out, YEP there they are I would think to myself, as I worked my way back toward the alley where they would notice me, and Berlin always hollered over…I knew it was at that very moment, “this is it” my cue to come over…The confession I have is Berlin always thought it was his company, but in reality, Berlin always had the best refreshments in his lil refrigerator on the back porch…. It was break time and chat time with the Gatts > Thank you for the many many years of memories, the kindness you always showed my family, you will forever be missed . May you all gather peace from all the wonderful memories that will be shared with you over the coming days…and it brings you a smile and comfort …
Love to you all ,
Vickie and Josh
Sorry for your loss, Berlin was alway’s nice to me, Even when I was an ornery kid.
We are so sorry to hear of Berlin’s passing and our deepest sympathies go to all his family, our thoughts are with you. Special hugs to Hilda, Jay, Vicky, Tim, Caroline and dear Olivia who so enjoyed seeing Great Grandad and Great Grandma at Thanksgiving.