Robert Edward Bates

Robert Edward Bates, 76, of Madison passed away Sunday, October 28, 2007, at Waldron Health Care Home in Waldron. Born November 25, 1930, in Shelbyville, he was the son of Earl Sandefur and Evelyn Stiers-McDowell and was raised by his grandparents, Herbert and Viola Bates. Survivors include his daughter, Jacqueline Rae Bates of Waldron; sisters, Shirley (husband, Dave) Campbell of Indianapolis, Clara McDowell and Marilyn Bartlett, both of Shelbyville, Marsha Guffey of Rushville and Mary Tindall of Hope; brothers, Ron Stiers of Plainfield and Paul (wife, Ann) Stiers of Shelbyville; grandchildren, Michael Lee Bates of Greenwood and Wendy Autumn (husband, Jason) Kuntz of Batesville; and special friend Charlotte Turner of Indianapolis. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; daughter, Vicki Bates; son, Daniel Eugene Bates; brother, Jerry Stiers; sisters, Carol Spurling and Janet Wright; and granddaughter, April Dawn Hovland. Mr. Bates was a truck driver, employed with Kroger Co. for 14 years and the U.S. Post Office for 10 years, retiring in 1992. He was a U.. Air Force veteran of World War II. Mr. Bates graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 1970. He was a member of Englewood Masonic Lodge No. 715, a 32nd degree Mason, Scottish Rite, Murat Temple, National Rifle Association, SCCA competition in Indianapolis Division Formula V's, and Hanover Christian Church in Hanover. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, with a Masonic service at 7 p.m., at Freeman Family Funeral Homes, Carmony-Ewing Harrison Street Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Shelby County Cancer Association, 126 N. Harrison St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.