Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home
http://winkenhoferpineridgefuneralhome.com
Howard Michael "Mike" Bates, 74, passed away Jan. 23, 2021 at Tranquility Hospice in Marietta, Ga after a battling cancer.
He was born Feb. 6, 1946 in Boston, MA. He attended Morris High School in the 1960's. Mike enlisted the in Army in 1966, became a Green Beret, and served with the 173rd Airborne. Mike was
Honorably discharged from the Army after serving two tours in Vietnam.
He and his wife, Melissa (Kopczick) were married in 1969 at Immaculate Conception Church in Morris. He was a member of Plumbers & Steamfitters local 760. Mike had a long career in the Nuclear Industry.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Stephanie and his parents Ellen and Howard Bates.
Survivors include his children: Johnathan (Debra) of Kennesaw, Ga;
Andrea of Atlanta, Ga; grandchildren: Michael and
AJ Bates. He has 3 surviving brothers, Mark (Cindy), Paul (Alida), David (Amy) Bates; and he considered nieces and nephews Lance (Julie) Peterson of Morris; Heather (Jerry) Miller of Carol Stream and Casey (Erica) Ganz of Prairie Village, KS, his own children. He had a special relationship with his favorite sister-in -law, Elise Kopczick of Key West, FL, and numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
No formal services at planned at this time due to the Pandemic. A memorial service will be held in Illinois later this year.
Preferred memorials are to Cancer research or the Illinois Valley Industries in Morris.
LINKS
Morris Herald News
http://www.morrisdailyherald.com
Memories
Gallery
Guestbook