Clyde "Pete" D. Bates Obituary (1932 - 2010)

Age 77 of Eaton Rapids died on Saturday morning, May 15, 2010 with his wife of 54 years by his bedside. Pete was born on September 21, 1932 in Lake City, Iowa, the son of Arthur and Edith Pearl (Willis) Bates. Pete served in the Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. He worked 40 years as a Millwright for Fisher Body in Lansing, retiring in 1995. Pete was a member of and past Trustee of the Brookfield United Methodist Church. Proceeding him in death was a great grandson, Jakob Gates; 3 sisters, Nadine Bates, Maxine Bigelow and Naurine Rose. Surviving are his wife Ardis; daughter, Beth (Ron) Knapp of Eaton Rapids; 2 granddaughters, Jennifer (Kevin) Long of Lansing and Lindsey Knapp of Royal Oak; great grandson, Henry Long; sister, Rosemary (Les) Doner of Iowa; 3 brothers, Arthur Bates of California, Willis (Steina) Bates of Georgia and Richard (Mavis) Bates of Virginia; Special cousin, Bruce Alexander of Iowa and numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. at the Oakwood Cemetery in Hamlin Township, Eaton Rapids with the Rev. Irene Vittoz of the Brookfield United Methodist Church, officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Brookfield Church for a time of sharing and reminiscing. Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to either the Brookfield United Methodist Church, 9280 Brookfield Rd. Charlotte, MI 48813 or Hospice Advantage at 801 S. Waverly Rd. Ste. 304 Lansing, MI 48917 in memory of Clyde D. "Pete" Bates. The family is being served by the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids.