Eleanor F. Bates

Eleanor F. Bates, 93, of Houston, Texas, formerly of Syracuse, passed away Friday, April 25, 2008, at Greenwood Forest Personal Care Home in Houston, TX. She was born on March 9, 1915, in Ft. Wayne, IN, to Alva & Ruth (Blain) Arnold.

In 1934, she married Lionel G. Bates. He preceded her in death in May, 1993.

Eleanor was raised in Warsaw and, after getting married, she moved to Chicago until returning to Syracuse in 1949. She moved to Villa Park in 1952 and retired to Syracuse in 1978. She left the area in 2000, to live with her daughter, Janice in Indianapolis and later with her son, Joel and his wife, Dee, in Houston, Texas. Eleanor owned and operated a custom draper and bedspread business in Villa Park. She was a Member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Syracuse, a former member of the First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst, IL. She was very active for many years in the Lake Wawasee Quilt Club, Wednesday Afternoon Club, various women's circles and at the church's Thrift Shop.

Survivors include her Son: Joel Bates and daughter-in-law Dee of Houston, Texas, and Daughter: Janice E. Bates Knaus of Indianapolis, four Grandchildren: Greg Bates and wife Ule of Pembroke Pines, FL, Colin Bates of Houston, TX, Allison Bates Free and Husband Paul of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Kevin Knaus and wife Lisa of Valparaiso, IN, seven Great Grandchildren: John, Matthew, Phillip and Timmy Bates, Austin, Cameron & Chandler Knaus. She was preceded in death by four Sisters: Twin Ruth Arnold Jacobs, Mary Arnold Jacobs, Virginia Arnold Peterson and Barbara Arnold Tadero.

A Memorial service will be held at 1PM on May 10, 2008, at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Syracuse. Pastor Mark Eastway will officiate. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 9135 N. Meridian St., B-4, Indianapolis, IN 46260 or St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 1413 N. Long Drive, Syracuse, IN 46567.