Mr. Clark W. Bates, 81 of Gaylord passed away at home on Saturday, August 31, 2013.
Clark, the son of Vilas and Evelyn (Clark) was born in Coldwater on February 25, 1932.
After high school, Clark attended Wayne State University where he earned his mortuary science degree. He later agreed to a blind date and met his wife to be, Shirley. They were married on June 21, 1958. The couple then moved to Gaylord and Clark began his career as a mortician.
Clark worked for the Walker Funeral Home for seven years and in 1965 bought the funeral home which would then be known as Walker-Bates Funeral Home. He later sold his business to what is now the Nelson Funeral Home.
Clark was very active in his community as well as numerous national organizations and charities. He was a member of the Shriners, Rotary Club, Otsego County Fire Department for over 20 years and was instrumental in establishing the Otsego County EMS. Over the course of 30 plus years he taught first aid classes in the Gaylord area. He was Mayor of Gaylord, the Alpine Village, for twelve years and was also a County Commissioner and served on the City Council as well. He accomplished the title of Past Master as a member of the Masons, Gaylord Cyrene Lodge #366.
Together, Shirley and Clark served The First United Methodist Church for many years, she as an organist and he as a sound technician. They were active in the Eastern Star. They believed in living life to the fullest while helping others and will be sorely missed by their Gaylord family.
He is survived by his sons, Jeff (Susan) of Twin Cities, MN and Eric (Joan) of Lake Orion; grandchildren, Michael (Melissa), Kharl, Savannah, Ellianna, Olivia and Joshua; great granddaughter, Mackenzie and siblings, Jim (Barbara) Bates and Sylvia Johnson.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley and his parents.
A funeral service for both Clark and Shirley will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 11 a.m. from the First United Methodist Church, Reverend John Naile officiating.
Visitation will be held for both Mr. and Mrs. Bates at the Nelson Funeral Home on Friday, September 6, 2013 from 4-8 p.m. and on Saturday (Sept 7) at the church beginning at 10 a.m.
An Eastern Star Service will be held at the funeral home Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. and a Masonic Lodge service at 7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to the American Red Cross, through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734
Clark, the son of Vilas and Evelyn (Clark) was born in Coldwater on February 25, 1932.
After high school, Clark attended Wayne State University where he earned his mortuary science degree. He later agreed to a blind date and met his wife to be, Shirley. They were married on June 21, 1958. The couple then moved to Gaylord and Clark began his career as a mortician.
Clark worked for the Walker Funeral Home for seven years and in 1965 bought the funeral home which would then be known as Walker-Bates Funeral Home. He later sold his business to what is now the Nelson Funeral Home.
Clark was very active in his community as well as numerous national organizations and charities. He was a member of the Shriners, Rotary Club, Otsego County Fire Department for over 20 years and was instrumental in establishing the Otsego County EMS. Over the course of 30 plus years he taught first aid classes in the Gaylord area. He was Mayor of Gaylord, the Alpine Village, for twelve years and was also a County Commissioner and served on the City Council as well. He accomplished the title of Past Master as a member of the Masons, Gaylord Cyrene Lodge #366.
Together, Shirley and Clark served The First United Methodist Church for many years, she as an organist and he as a sound technician. They were active in the Eastern Star. They believed in living life to the fullest while helping others and will be sorely missed by their Gaylord family.
He is survived by his sons, Jeff (Susan) of Twin Cities, MN and Eric (Joan) of Lake Orion; grandchildren, Michael (Melissa), Kharl, Savannah, Ellianna, Olivia and Joshua; great granddaughter, Mackenzie and siblings, Jim (Barbara) Bates and Sylvia Johnson.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley and his parents.
A funeral service for both Clark and Shirley will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 11 a.m. from the First United Methodist Church, Reverend John Naile officiating.
Visitation will be held for both Mr. and Mrs. Bates at the Nelson Funeral Home on Friday, September 6, 2013 from 4-8 p.m. and on Saturday (Sept 7) at the church beginning at 10 a.m.
An Eastern Star Service will be held at the funeral home Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. and a Masonic Lodge service at 7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to the American Red Cross, through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734
Mr. Clark W. Bates, 81 of Gaylord passed away at home on Saturday, August 31, 2013.
Clark, the son of Vilas and Evelyn (Clark) was born in Coldwater on February 25, 1932.
After high school, Clark attended Wayne State University where he earned his mortuary science degree. He later agreed to a blind date and met his wife to be, Shirley. They were married on June 21, 1958. The couple then moved to Gaylord and Clark began his career as a mortician.
Clark worked for the Walker Funeral Home for seven years and in 1965 bought the funeral home which would then be known as Walker-Bates Funeral Home. He later sold his business to what is now the Nelson Funeral Home.
Clark was very active in his community as well as numerous national organizations and charities. He was a member of the Shriners, Rotary Club, Otsego County Fire Department for over 20 years and was instrumental in establishing the Otsego County EMS. Over the course of 30 plus years he taught first aid classes in the Gaylord area. He was Mayor of Gaylord, the Alpine Village, for twelve years and was also a County Commissioner and served on the City Council as well. He accomplished the title of Past Master as a member of the Masons, Gaylord Cyrene Lodge #366.
Together, Shirley and Clark served The First United Methodist Church for many years, she as an organist and he as a sound technician. They were active in the Eastern Star. They believed in living life to the fullest while helping others and will be sorely missed by their Gaylord family.
He is survived by his sons, Jeff (Susan) of Twin Cities, MN and Eric (Joan) of Lake Orion; grandchildren, Michael (Melissa), Kharl, Savannah, Ellianna, Olivia and Joshua; great granddaughter, Mackenzie and siblings, Jim (Barbara) Bates and Sylvia Johnson.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley and his parents.
A funeral service for both Clark and Shirley will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 11 a.m. from the First United Methodist Church, Reverend John Naile officiating.
Visitation will be held for both Mr. and Mrs. Bates at the Nelson Funeral Home on Friday, September 6, 2013 from 4-8 p.m. and on Saturday (Sept 7) at the church beginning at 10 a.m.
An Eastern Star Service will be held at the funeral home Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. and a Masonic Lodge service at 7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to the American Red Cross, through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734
Clark, the son of Vilas and Evelyn (Clark) was born in Coldwater on February 25, 1932.
After high school, Clark attended Wayne State University where he earned his mortuary science degree. He later agreed to a blind date and met his wife to be, Shirley. They were married on June 21, 1958. The couple then moved to Gaylord and Clark began his career as a mortician.
Clark worked for the Walker Funeral Home for seven years and in 1965 bought the funeral home which would then be known as Walker-Bates Funeral Home. He later sold his business to what is now the Nelson Funeral Home.
Clark was very active in his community as well as numerous national organizations and charities. He was a member of the Shriners, Rotary Club, Otsego County Fire Department for over 20 years and was instrumental in establishing the Otsego County EMS. Over the course of 30 plus years he taught first aid classes in the Gaylord area. He was Mayor of Gaylord, the Alpine Village, for twelve years and was also a County Commissioner and served on the City Council as well. He accomplished the title of Past Master as a member of the Masons, Gaylord Cyrene Lodge #366.
Together, Shirley and Clark served The First United Methodist Church for many years, she as an organist and he as a sound technician. They were active in the Eastern Star. They believed in living life to the fullest while helping others and will be sorely missed by their Gaylord family.
He is survived by his sons, Jeff (Susan) of Twin Cities, MN and Eric (Joan) of Lake Orion; grandchildren, Michael (Melissa), Kharl, Savannah, Ellianna, Olivia and Joshua; great granddaughter, Mackenzie and siblings, Jim (Barbara) Bates and Sylvia Johnson.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley and his parents.
A funeral service for both Clark and Shirley will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 11 a.m. from the First United Methodist Church, Reverend John Naile officiating.
Visitation will be held for both Mr. and Mrs. Bates at the Nelson Funeral Home on Friday, September 6, 2013 from 4-8 p.m. and on Saturday (Sept 7) at the church beginning at 10 a.m.
An Eastern Star Service will be held at the funeral home Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. and a Masonic Lodge service at 7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to the American Red Cross, through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734
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