In Memory Of
Frederick Walter Bates Jr.
1925
2022
Frederick Walter Bates Jr.
January 6, 1925 — March 6, 2022
Frederick Walter Bates, 97, of Mansfield Township, Crystal Falls, MI, died peacefully after a short illness on March 6, 2022 at St Mary's Hospital in Green Bay, WI.
Born January 6, 1925 at the home of his midwife-grandmother in Mansfield, Fred was a lifelong resident of the township. He was the son of Fred Sr. and Margaret (Mayer) Bates. He attended schools in Mansfield, later transferring to Crystal Falls.
He married the former Beverly Ann Cain on December 30, 1961, at the First Presbyterian Church, in Kingsford.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bev, parents, and sister, Eleanor Multaupt.
He is survived by his daughters and their families: Lana (Bert) Starr (Leah), of Cardwell, MT; Wendy Bates Skovera (Samantha (Jordan) Messersmith (Rowan) and Dalton, of Suamico, WI; and Penny (Tony) Kudwa (Amanda, Rachel, Nathaniel (Teresa) (Lauren and Talon), Elijah (Krystal) (Eila, Eiven, Eileen and Kiera) of Crystal Falls, MI.
Also surviving are three sisters-in-law, Gladys Halpin, Marilyn Dahlquist, and Nancy Ball and their children.
Always known by the nickname "Buckshot", Bates was employed by the Milwaukee Road and, later, the Soo Line Railroad as an engineer. His career spanned thirty-four plus years with twenty-nine in Channing and the last five in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Bates also served in the United States Army.
An outdoorsman, Buckshot enjoyed hunting and fishing on the land and water surrounding his home in the Way Dam area, of Mansfield Township. He also enjoyed being a logger and a farmer in that area. In his last years, his special enjoyment was playing with his great-granddaughter, Rowan. He was her "Bubba" and were constant companions.
Being proud of his heritage, he worked to make Mansfield celebrations a success. He was instrumental in the building of the Mansfield Pioneer Church and sang in the choir at functions held there. He was also a member of the Mansfield Memories Committee.
Both Fred and Beverly enjoyed the Sagola Senior Center - attending whenever they could. A good smear game with good friends was high on their list of things to do in an afternoon.
Buckshot will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a good friend to all who knew him. His sense of humor, storytelling and musical talents entertained those around him.
Special thanks to friend Tracey Williams, St. Mary's 5th floor nursing staff and Newcomer Funeral Home.
Born January 6, 1925 at the home of his midwife-grandmother in Mansfield, Fred was a lifelong resident of the township. He was the son of Fred Sr. and Margaret (Mayer) Bates. He attended schools in Mansfield, later transferring to Crystal Falls.
He married the former Beverly Ann Cain on December 30, 1961, at the First Presbyterian Church, in Kingsford.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bev, parents, and sister, Eleanor Multaupt.
He is survived by his daughters and their families: Lana (Bert) Starr (Leah), of Cardwell, MT; Wendy Bates Skovera (Samantha (Jordan) Messersmith (Rowan) and Dalton, of Suamico, WI; and Penny (Tony) Kudwa (Amanda, Rachel, Nathaniel (Teresa) (Lauren and Talon), Elijah (Krystal) (Eila, Eiven, Eileen and Kiera) of Crystal Falls, MI.
Also surviving are three sisters-in-law, Gladys Halpin, Marilyn Dahlquist, and Nancy Ball and their children.
Always known by the nickname "Buckshot", Bates was employed by the Milwaukee Road and, later, the Soo Line Railroad as an engineer. His career spanned thirty-four plus years with twenty-nine in Channing and the last five in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Bates also served in the United States Army.
An outdoorsman, Buckshot enjoyed hunting and fishing on the land and water surrounding his home in the Way Dam area, of Mansfield Township. He also enjoyed being a logger and a farmer in that area. In his last years, his special enjoyment was playing with his great-granddaughter, Rowan. He was her "Bubba" and were constant companions.
Being proud of his heritage, he worked to make Mansfield celebrations a success. He was instrumental in the building of the Mansfield Pioneer Church and sang in the choir at functions held there. He was also a member of the Mansfield Memories Committee.
Both Fred and Beverly enjoyed the Sagola Senior Center - attending whenever they could. A good smear game with good friends was high on their list of things to do in an afternoon.
Buckshot will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a good friend to all who knew him. His sense of humor, storytelling and musical talents entertained those around him.
Special thanks to friend Tracey Williams, St. Mary's 5th floor nursing staff and Newcomer Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frederick Walter Bates Jr., please visit our flower store.
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