Obituary of Marion Bates

Marion Ellen (Haire) Bates, 75, of Niles went home to be with her Lord on Monday March 5th, 2007 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center with her family at her side. Mrs. Bates was born on December 22, 1931 in Ferndale, Michigan. On September 27, 1950 she married the love of her life, Melborn C. Bates in South Bend, Indiana. They were married for 23 years until he was taken from her in death on May 1, 1974. In 1994 Marion retired from Ducarra Aviation as Vice President of Operations after 17 years of service. Marion's greatest passion was spending time with her family. She also enjoyed bird watching and researching family genealogy. Many knew Marion for her giving spirit. She gave endlessly by sewing blankets for local hospices, child abuse centers, and Katrina victims. She also sewed hats, gowns, and many other items to bring comfort to cancer patients and seriously ill people. Marion was preceded in death by her husband Melborn Bates, a son Ted Bates, and also her parents Clifford G. Haire, Ethel Haire, and Max Olmack. She is survived by her mother Ruth Olmack of Warren, Michigan, a son Mark (Tammy) Bates of Niles, Michigan, three daughters; Patti (Jack) Crothers of South Bend, Indiana, Janet (Gale) LaPlace of Vandalia, Michigan and Anita (Mike) Girten of Elkhart, Indiana, sixteen grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren, seven sisters; Carol (Dave) Kominkiewicz of North Liberty, Indiana, Margaret Hollerbach of St. Joseph, Michigan, Ruth Ann (Darryl) Zoch of Sterling Heights, Michigan, Maxine (Stu) Freeman of Warren, Michigan, Marlene (Marty) Szalkiewicz of Sterling Heights, Michigan, Julie Haire of Boonville, Tennessee, Bobbi (Jimmy) Cook of Newburg, Indiana, four brothers; Clifford (Gloria) Haire of Clawson, Michigan, Jim (Shirley) Haire of Apache Junction, Arizona, Roy (Gerry) Haire of Yuma, Arizona and Max (Jackie) Olmack of Guthrie, Kentucky. A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday March 7, 2007 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, 521 S. Main Street, Niles, Michigan. Funeral services will be held on Thursday March 8th at Brown Funeral Home at 11:00a.m. with Rev. Jack Crothers officiating.