Person:Gayle Bates (1)

He was born Jan. 4, 1924, in Risingsun, to the late Alfred and Johanna (Ka hler) Bates. On March 21, 1946, he married Mary Ridenour in Bowling Gree n OH. She survives. Also surviving are: two sons, David Bates of Findlay and Rick Bates of Kan sas OH; four daughters, Judy Bates-Miller and Rosemary Miller, both of Fr emont, Lynne Russell of Kansas OH, and Jodi Bates of Portage; 13 grandchi ldren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Bates was a U.S Army veteran of World War II.

Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Church of God in Risingsu n. Burial will be in Bradner Cemetery, where the Bradner American Legion w ill conduct military rites.

Visitation will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the Mann-Hare Funeral Home in Fosto ria.

Gayle E Bates Jan. 4, 1924 -- May 31, 2004

------

Gayle E Bates, 80, of Risingsun, went to be with his Heavenly Father ear ly Monday morning.

He was born in Risingsun to the now-deceased Alfred and Johanna (Kahler) B ates. He married Mary Ridenour March 21, 1946, in Bowling Green, and she s urvives.

Mr. Bates was a laborer at Autolite in Fostoria for 39 years. He was a U .S Army veteran of World War II and a faithful member of the First Chur ch of God, Risingsun. He was a graduate of Risingsun High School and a mem ber of American Legion Post 338, Bradner. Mr. Bates was extremely pro ud of his military service and enjoyed attending his Army reunions. He al so liked fishing, hunting, and caring for his yard, and was an avid f an of the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Lions, and The OH State Buckeyes.

Gayle was a loving and generous family man who always put the needs of oth ers before his own.

Gayle is survived by sons David (Rebecca) Bates of Findlay and Rick (Robi n) Bates of Kansas; daughters Judy Bates-Miller and Rosemary (Max) Mille r, both of Fremont, Lynne (Ernie) Russell of Kansas and Jodi Bates of Port age; 13 grandchildren Scott, Donnie and Doug Miller, Dawn Billow, Michel le Gibson, Amy Richter, Craig, Jeremy and Adam Bates, David Russell, Ric ky and Randi Bates, and Bradley Gayle Meyers; 10 great-grandchildren Chels ea and Gregory Miller, Ricky Billow, Samantha Hannigan, James and Katie Gi bson, Brandon and Alesha Richter, and Brandon and Ashlyn Bates. He was pre ceded by his parents, brothers Joe and Floyd; sisters Leila, Violet, Velm a, and Mardella; two grandchildren Courtney Russell and Brian Gerwin; a nd two great-grandchildren Shannon and Stephanie Gibson.

Visitation: 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Mann-Hare Funer al Home, Fostoria.

Services: 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Church of God, Risingsun.

Burial: Bradner Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Bradner Amer ican Legion.

Memorials: To the First Church of God's New Vision Fund in memory of Gay le Bates.

Online condolences: www. mann-hare.com.