Published: November 18, 2008 09:41 pm         

Elroy Bates

Feb. 18, 1924 - Nov. 16, 2008

Elroy Bates, 84, Walton, went home to be with the Lord at 8:03 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, at St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo. He was born Feb. 18, 1924, in Rowan County, Ky., to William Royal and Eva (Stone) Bates. On June 21, 1942, in Walton Christian Church, he married Betty Jo (Berryman) Bates, who preceded him in death on April 19, 2006. On June 30, 2007, he married Doris (Correll) Dalton Bates, and she survives.

Elroy was a crane operator for 35 years and a member of Operating Engineers Local #103 for 50 years. He as also a farmer. He was a member of Pilgrim Nazarene Church in Greensburg and attended Cole Rain Holiness Church in Wabash.

He served in the Army Air Corps. in World War II from 1941 to 1945.

He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Doris Bates, Walton; daughter, Carolyn and husband E.B. Zimmerman, Kokomo; sons, Rev. Donny and wife Cheryl Bates, Greensburg, and William E. Bates, Kokomo; daughter, Pamela and husband Tim Elpers, Walton; stepdaughter, Glenda Dalton, Twelve Mile; stepson, Greg and wife Melody Dalton, Fulton; stepson, Dan and wife Glenna Dalton, Wabash; stepdaughter, Darlene and husband Carl Tyson, Peru; stepdaughter, Deb and husband Dane Hecker, Wabash; 11 grandchildren, Todd and Suzy Pounds, Kokomo, Scott and Kelly Pounds, Indianapolis, Tammy and Mike Neal, Greentown, Anthony Wayne Bates, Shelbyville, Sherri Ann Bates, Indianapolis, Donnetta Jo and Brett Dayton, Lewiston, Idaho, Rev. Don and Amy Bates, Winchester, Melissa and Randy Hynes, Lewiston, Idaho, Jeffery Scott and April Bates, Nashville, Ind., Amber Lynnette and Shaun Miller, Fort Wayne, Andrew and Laura Elpers, Fort Wayne; step grandchildren, Jeremy Townsend, Jennifer Roush, Walter Dalton, Brad Dalton, James Dalton, Alicia Dalton, Jeff Tyson, Joe Tyson, Holly Hecker and Angie Dalton; 21 great-grandchildren; eight step great-grandchildren; and one great great-grandchild; and sisters, Virginia Siggelkow, California and Veatrice Lewis, Lebanon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Betty Jo, four brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Friday, at the Walton Christian Church, 103 Bishop St., Walton, with the Rev. Donny Bates. Burial will be in Walton IOOF Cemetery, Walton. Visitation is 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Murray-Weaver Funeral Home, 401 S. California St., in Galveston. Memorials may be made to the We Care Trust Foundation, Kokomo.

     

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