Charles Leigh Bates, son of William and Ann Reno Bates, was born May 6, 1877 on the farm in Browning township where he spent most of his life. He died June 27, 1962, at the age of 85 years at the Parkview Nursing Home in Beardstown after an illness of 5 months. He was united in marriage with Pearle Haffner, Sept. 3, 1902. She preceded him in death Jan. 1, 1935.
To this union was born seven children: five daughters, Mrs. Ada Willard of Browning; Mrs. Lelia Strong of Pleasantview; Mrs. Bula Spillers of Normal; Mrs. Dolores Leezer of Roseville; Mrs. Lucille Edwards of Baldwin Park, Calif., and two sons, True Bates of Beardstown and Charles Bates Jr. of Roseville, all of whom survive.
Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren; one brother, Rev. J. R. Bates of Browning and one sister, Mrs. Blanche Ryan of Detroit, Mich.
Mr. Bates had been a member of Ridgeville Baptist church since early manhood. He was a member of Rushville Mason lodge and also of Browning I.O.O.F., having been a member of the latter organization for more than forty years.
He was active in all community affairs, and was one of the members who helped promote the Farm Bureau in Schuyler county, serving one term as President of the Schuyler Association and a term as director in the Illinois Agriculture Association.
He received his education in Browning township schools and attended W.I.S.T.C. at Bushnell, Illinois.
After retiring from active farming, he was employed for a time at the Illiopolis Ordnance plant at at the State Fair grounds in Springfield.
He had enjoyed exceptionally good health, continuing to be both physically and mentally alert until stricken with his final illness. He will be greatly missed by his family, relatives and a host of friends.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus