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James Matthew Bates, 85, of Benton Harbor died Thursday, May 30, 2013 at the Woodland Terrace in Bridgman. Services celebrating his life will be held at 1 PM on Monday, June 3, at the Dey-Florin Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in St. Joseph with Rev. Michael Elsey and Rev. Derek Cromwell officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives from 2 PM to 5 PM on Sunday at the Dey-Florin Chapel. Memorials maybe made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Please share memories, messages or photos at www.florin.net. Jim was born on Dec 19, 1927 in Amagon, AR to J. F. and Dixie Bates. He married his wife, Mary Jane White, on Nov 5, 1948 and she preceded him in death in 2002. Together they celebrated 54 years of marriage. Jim worked at Superior Steel for 27 years and retired from there in 1978. He then worked at Vail Rubber from 1978 to 1993 when he retired from there. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Berrien Springs and was a man of strong faith who loved his family and his church. Until his health prevented it, he walked at the mall daily, enjoyed talking and drinking coffee with his mall friends and bowled twice a week. Jim also loved to attend all activities which his grandchildren and great grandchildren were involved in. He is survived by his children, Linda (Michael) Elsey of Paw Paw and Kenneth (Diane) Bates of St. Joseph; his grandchildren, Becky (Perry III) Ballard, Beth (Dr. Joe) Chen, Karen (Paul) Adams, and Heather (Andy) Steinbrook; his 11 great grandchildren, Jackson, Alina, Caden, Dylan, Beckett, Ace, Hunter, Jeremy, Tyler, Charlie, and Kendall; his brother, John Bates, and his sisters, Frances Haywood, Rachel Anderson, and Macel Hoaney. He was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Allen Bates and a sister, Eunner Finney.

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James Matthew Bates

December 19, 1927 - May 30, 2013

Obituary & Service

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Tributes

James Matthew Bates

December 19, 1927 - May 30, 2013

Obituary & Service

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