Mrs. Mary Lou Gates who gave birth to her first child last week, was found dead on the floor of her home, 2013 Indiana Ave., when her husband arrived home from work Friday afternoon.

Robert Gates told Coroner Wood he had left for work at 6:25 a.m. Friday. He found his wife’s body when he returned home at 4:15 p.m., after stopping at the store long enough to buy groceries.

Mrs. Gates had been released from the St. Francis Hospital Sunday after the birth of Wesley Lynn Gates there Feb. 11. The couple had resided at the Indiana Ave. address five years.

The infant was taken to the home of a neighbor, where the family physician examined it and said the baby was in good health.

Coroner Chauncey Wood is conducting an investigation into the death of the young mother.

Born Dec. 17, 1929, in Forest City, a daughter of Kirby and Eleanor E. LaCharite Lawlis, she married Robert GATES Nov. 30, 1948, in Peoria.

Surviving are her husband; her 8-day-old son; her father of Chillicothe; a sister Miss Maurielle Lawlis of Mason City, Ia., and brother, Parker Lawlis of Chillicothe.

Funeral services will be announced by the Wilton Mortuary.