BENTON GATES, JR. of Columbia City, 81, father of the Rev. Marti Lundy, pastor of Evangelical UMC in Huntington and father-in-law of the Rev. Kent Lundy, associate pastor of Columbia City UMC, died Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011. His more than 50 year memberships included Columbia City UMC where he was active with numerous church activities. Visitation will be Sunday, Sept. 18, from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 207 North Main Street in Columbia City, Ind. and Monday, Sept. 19 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Columbia City United Methodist Church, 605 Forest Parkway in Columbia City. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept.19 at the church with the Rev. David Arnold, officiating. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery. Survivors include: a son and two daughters, Benton E. (Janet) Gates III of Fort Wayne, Mary Lynn (Gary) Pottorff of Carmel and Marti (Kent) Lundy of Huntington; six grandchildren; a great granddaughter. In addition to his wife, Betsy Goodwin Gates, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Betsy Jayne Gates. Memorial contributions can be made to Columbia City United Methodist Church, 605 Forest Parkway, Columbia City, IN 46725 or Betsy Jayne Gates Scholarship Fund c/o Whitley County Community Foundation. Condolences can be sent to the Revs. Marti & Kent Lundy, Evangelical United Methodist Church, 1000 Flaxmill Road, Huntington, IN 46750.