Gerald W. 'Jerry' Bates. Jr.

Gerald W. “Jerry” Bates, Jr., 80, of Rayland, OH, passed away Tuesday July 2, 2019 in the Carriage Inn of Steubenville.

He was born Nov. 23, 1938 in Mingo Junction, OH, a son of the late Gerald W. Bates, Sr. and Lenora (Buchanan) Flordeliz. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Michael Bates; two brothers, Eugene “Geno” and James Bates; an infant sister, Shirley Bates; and a grandson, Steven Hendershot.

Jerry was a retired park ranger from Friendship Park. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps for 4 years in Japan where he was a military police officer. He was a member of Steel Valley Baptist Church and enjoyed fishing and hunting.   

Surviving are his wife, Betty A. (Boop) Bates, whom he married Feb. 20, 1964; two sons, Brian (Lynn) Bates of Ormond Beach, FL and Greg Bates of Rayland, OH; four sisters, Marsha Landis of Mingo Junction, OH, Rosemary (Richard) Gualitire of Steubenville, OH, Linda (Richard) Dewitt of Yucca Valley, CA and Sharon (Ed) Diaz of California; seven grandchildren, Caitlin and Austin Bates, Sean, Nathan and Gregory Bates, Samantha Bates and Cory Schubert; and five great-grandchildren.

Friends will be received at the Wheeler Funeral Home, 712 Third St. Brilliant, OH on Saturday from 2-4 p.m. Military Honors by the Ohio Valley Veterans Squad will take place at 4:00 p.m. and funeral services with Pastor Todd Miller, officiating will follow. Private interment at New Alexandria Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed in Jerry’s memory to the Steel Valley Baptist Church, 501 Labelle St., Brilliant, OH 43913.

Offer condolences at www.wheelerfuneralhomes.com.

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