Don Bates, 71 of Washington, IL passed away Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 5:00 a.m. in Lancaster, CA. Don was born July 8, 1939 in Bloomington, IL to Richard and Florence Bates. He married Mary Margaret Clark on June 24, 1986. She preceded him in death on October 18, 2007.
He will be missed by his son, Don Jr. of Chicago, his daughter, Corlina Whitehouse (Morris) of Bloomington, IL and two step-daughters, Barbara (Terry) Long of Washington, and Yvonne (John) Gomes of East Peoria; one sister, Mardelle (the late Rodney) Sakemiller of Pearblossom, Ca. and one step-sister, Rosalee "Karen" Schirer (Clay Wray) of Washburn; 5 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.
Don retired from the East Peoria Park District in the maintenance department and also from his own business, North Star Heating and Air Conditioning. He was a member and secretary/treasurer of the RSES for 20 years. In his later years, Don learned to speak Spanish. He loved to travel all over the United States and Mexico with his German Shepherd, Amigo most recently visiting with his sister in California. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 5 at Mason-White Funeral Home, with Pastor Steinbeck officiating. Burial will follow in Glendale Cemetery in Washington. Visitation will be one hour prior to services.