David Gatlin

David Arnold Gatlin David Arnold Gatlin ., 81, died, Thursday, February 7th, 2008, at the Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, KS. Visitation will be held on Monday February 11 from 6-8 pm at the Penwell-Gabel Paola Chapel. Services will be Tuesday February 12th 2pm at the Penwell-Gabel Paola Chapel. Graveside services will follow at the Paola Cemetery. David was born to William Henry and Bessie Jane (Niles) Gatlin on February 12, 1926 at Somerset, Miami County, Kansas. He was the youngest of six children. He was united in marriage to (Ella) Katherine Stephens on November 10, 1943. Together they lived in Miami County and raised their nine children. Growing up David worked on his Dad"s farm and he worked as a laborer on their neighbor"s farm for about one year. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1944 and served his country until 1946. He worked on the diesel engines aboard the ship, USS Harris, and received the bronze star and the Asiatic "Pacific Ribbon, during his time in the Navy. When he left the Navy he did whatever jobs he could find including working in junk yards and furniture factories. In 1947 he was hired on the railroad for nine and a half years. He then helped build houses in the Country Club Heights area. He helped build Lake Miaola in Paola. And he helped with the Floure Corporation. In 1957 he became a carpenter. He worked with the J.E. Dunn Construction on buildings such as; The Carriage Club on the Plaza, St Lukes Hospital, Baptist Memorial, Rockhill College, Board of Trade Building and many others. In 1975 he became disabled and had to retire from work. He loved working with his hands in woodworking, gardening, fishing and he loved reading western stories. He is preceded in death by his wife Bessie Jane (Niles) Gatlin, his Sister Viola Brewer and Brothers Charles and Harold Gatlin and two step-brothers Keith and Noah Benedict. He is survived by his children; Virginia Sweet, David Gatlin, and Rodney Gatlin of Paola, KS; Joyce Klawonn and Janice Gatlin of Osawatomie, KS; Ronald Gatlin of Louisburg, KS; Jill Sharp of Kansas City, KS; Jane Surber of Neveda; and Judy Gatlin of Louisiana. A Sister, Genieve Pearce Goodfellow of California and a Brother, Daniel Gatlin of Maize, KS. Three grand-daughters and two grandsons and two great-grandsons. Penwell-Gabel Paola Chapel 305 N. Pearl Service: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 2:00 PM Visitation: Monday, February 11, 2008 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM