Jonathan B. Bates' Obituary
Jonathan Bates Obituary
Jonathan B. Bates, 84, of Elyria, died suddenly September 29, 2016.He was born March 9, 1932 in Ithaca, NY, was a 1950 graduate of Ithaca High School and received a bachelor of arts from Cornell University in 1955.Jonathan moved to Elyria in 1978 where he served as Executive Director of the Commerce and Industry Association of Greater Elyria until 1990.He was later employed by the Elyria City Schools as an Instructional Paraprofessional.He was one of the founders of the Elyria Apple Festival, a member of the Silver Sneakers, a former member of the Elyria Rotary Club, Order of De Molay, Degree of Chevalier and Past Master of Order of Masons.Jonathan is survived by his wife of 59 years, Cathryn (nee Payne); sons Thomas (Mary) Bates of Orange, MA, Jeffrey (Ruth) Bates of Elyria, Michael (Heather) Bates of Dardenne Prairie, MO and Daniel (Sarah) Bates of Fort Collins, CO; daughter Cristen (Michael) Schon of Amherst; grandchildren Andrew, Nicole, Ryan, Samantha, Amanda, Daniel, Rachel, Luke, John, Matthew, James and Amy.He was preceded in death by his parents Erl and Jane Bates and a granddaughter, Melanie.A memorial service will be Friday, October 14, 2016 at 10 a.m. at LaPorte United Methodist Church, 2071 Grafton Rd., Elyria. Reverend William Wendell will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 4500 Rockside Road, Suite 380, Independence, Ohio 44131. Arrangements are in the care of Dicken Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Elyria. SERVICES Memorial Service Friday, October 7, 2016 10:00 AM LaPorte United Methodist Church 2071 Grafton Rd. Elyria, OH 44035
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Jonathan B. Bates, please visit our floral store.
Read More
What’s your fondest memory of Jonathan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jonathan?
Share a story where Jonathan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jonathan you’ll never forget.
How did Jonathan make you smile?