Obituary: Jane Bates, 84, Branch.

Jane Marie Bates, 84 of Branch passed away on Monday, October 19, 2015.  Jane was born on December 1, 1930 in Twin Lakes, Lake County, Michigan, the daughter of Harold and Mabel (Anderson) Myers.  After graduating from Luther High School, she worked in Grand Rapids before marrying the love of her life, Donald Ralph Bates, on September 19, 1950 in Indiana at a ceremony attended by the groom’s sister and brother-in-law, Marion and Floyd Teachout.  They began their lives together in Lansing where Don worked for Centrifugal Fusing (division of Goodyear Tire & Rubber) for 38 years, eventually retiring back to Lake County.  During their time in Lansing they raised three children: son Donald Richard “Rick”, and twin girls Annette Marie “Ann”, and Elizabeth Jane “Beth”.  Jane was extremely involved with the kids and all their activities, carting them all over town for their sporting events.  Jane did take time to showcase some of her own athletic ability by becoming one of the premier woman bowlers in the Lansing area.

She and Don enjoyed the outdoors and spent a lot of their free time fishing and hunting in the Lake County area.  Upon relocating back to Lake County and building a new home, they spent countless hours watching the wildlife and birds that would visit them including the bear that came and tore down the bird feeders on Don’s birthday.  Friends and family remember seeing “Missy”, the tame deer that Jane could call in from the woods.  During the time after Jane lost her mobility, she would spend hours watching her woodland friends during the day.  Spending time with family and friends was one of her joys in life.  She kept track of everyone’s birthdays, marriages, etc. and was the family resource for any date or connection.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents and her grandson Nathaniel Marshall.  She will be greatly missed by her husband of 65 years, Donald, her children: Rick and Wanda Bates of Perrysburg, Ohio; Ann and Dave Layton of Grand Ledge; and Beth and Chuck Marshall, also of Grand Ledge; her grandchildren: Jason (Megan), Kyle (Rachael), Andrew (Natalie), Jennie (Kraig), Kristin (Rodney), and Sarah; her great-grandchildren: Marianna, Nathan Jr., Beckett, Landon, Avaleigh, Tory, Lindsay, Kaitlyn, Sadie, and Jake; three great, great-grandchildren, and her brother Harold “Dick” and Wanda Myers.

Funeral services will be held for Jane at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 23 at Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services – Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville.  Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Irons.  Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.  Those who wish to remember Jane with a memorial contribution are asked to consider the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Please visit Jane’s personal memory page at www.wymanfuneralservice.com  to leave a tribute of Jane for her family, or to light a candle in her memory.