Dawn Gates-Allen

Dawn Gates-Allen, 31, of Springfield, passed away at 8:18 p.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2010 at her home. Dawn was born June 19, 1979 in Springfield, the daughter of Johnny and Kathy Ator Gates. She married David-Paul Allen on December 28, 1996 in Springfield. Dawn enjoyed scrapbooking, reading books, and spending time with her family. She was an avid Miami Dolphins fan. Dawn loved life and always enjoyed a good party. She was preceded in death by her father, Johnny Ray Gates and her grandmother and grandfather. She is survived by her husband, David-Paul Allen of Springfield; mother, Kathy Gates of Springfield; sister, Jackie (husband, Bryan) Nicoll of Springfield; great-grandmother, Virgie Gates of Pleasant Hill; uncle, Doug (wife, Rhonda) Ator of Lewisville, TX; father and mother-in-law, Bill and Carmen Murdoch of Nashville, TN; father-in-law, David Allen of Springfield; nephews, Hunter and Braden Nicoll; nieces, Brooke Lynn, Jailyn and Jordan Murdoch; and brother and sister-in-laws, James (wife, Kelsey) Murdoch of El Paso, TX and Jonathan (wife, Jackie) Murdoch of Ft. Myers, FL. Family will receive friends from 4:00-6:45 p.m. on Monday, December 6, 2010 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, with a funeral ceremony to follow at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor Kathy Swaar officiating. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. Memorial contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society, 687 E. Linton Ave., Springfield, IL 62703.