Michael Lafe Tate, 71

Michael Lafe Tate, 71, of rural Waynesfield, died 3:41 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, at Lima Memorial Health System, with his family at his side.

He was born Dec. 10, 1950, in Lima, the son of Dean C. And Bernadine L. (Harrington) Tate, who preceded him in death.

On Nov. 1, 1969, he married Pamela J. Sproul Tate, and she survives. Other survivors include three children: Michael T. (Casey) Tate, Rockford, Jeffrey W. Tate, Highland Park, MI, and Tara D. (Dave) Zorn, Waynesfield; eight grandchildren: Kelsey Williams, Zachary Tate, Cheyne Tate, Kenzi Tate, Parker Tate, Taryn Tate, Kasen Zorn and Tate Zorn; two great grandchildren, Jaxson and Khalie; and a sister-in-law, Merrill Tate of Eugene, OR.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Bill, Jim, and Dorothy Tate.

Mike served the Waynesfield community youth for many years as Packmaster of the Cub Scouts, then Scoutmaster of the Boy Scouts, receiving the Vigil Honor as a member in the Order of the Arrow. He ministered his faith with local teens as leader of the Methodist Youth Fellowship and served on the Waynesfield-Goshen School Board.

Mike worked for United Telephone/ Sprint for 32 years before taking an early retirement in 2001. He enjoyed fishing, camping and watching old Westerns on Sunday afternoons. He loved watching his children and grandchildren in their activities, gardening and cooking with his beloved wife of 52 years.

Mike was a member of the Waynesfield Baptist Church, where memorial contributions may be made to support their youth fellowship initiatives.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, Waynesfield Chapel.

Burial is to follow in the Willow Branch Cemetery, Waynesfield.

The family will receive friends 5-8 p.m., Thursday and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service, Friday at the funeral home. Condolences may be directed to the Waynesfield Baptist Church.