Donald J. Bates

Donald J. Bates, 93, of Goshen, died Tuesday morning, January 3, 2017 at Courtyard Healthcare.

He was born August 22, 1923 in Goshen to Ralph and Beulah (Anglemeyer) Bates.

On April 9, 1944 he married Emma Mae Myers at West Goshen Church of the Brethren.  She died March 16, 2006.

Survivors include five children, Jim (Kay) Bates of Lafayette, Pat (Don) Stahly of Syracuse, George (Dawn) Bates, Sue (Phil) Rassi, and Dave (Monica) Bates all of Elkhart; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; a sister, Berdine Frey of Sebring, Florida; and a brother, Gordon (Willodean) Bates of Goshen.

Along with his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Beth Sternberg; two sisters, Virginia Miller and Annabelle Packer; and a brother, Roy Bates.

A 1941 graduate of Millersburg High School, Don did civilian public service from 1945 to 1946 in Wellston, Michigan.  He worked as a carpenter and farmer. He also volunteered at Camp Mack from 1988 to 1992 as a carpenter.  He traveled to 25 states doing disaster relief work for the Church of the Brethren.

He was a member of Rock Run Church of the Brethren, currently attending Little Pine Church of the Brethren where his son, George Bates, is pastor.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home and Friday, January 6, 2017 beginning at 10 a.m. prior to the 11 a.m. funeral service at Rock Run Church of the Brethren.  Pastors George Bates and Tim Waits will officiate.

Burial will follow at Rock Run Cemetery, Goshen.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be directed to Camp Alexander Mack, P.O. Box 158, Milford, Indiana 46542, in Don’s honor.