Rest in Peace, Mike

Michael James Bates passed away peacefully at home in LaMoille, IL on May 16, 2021 after a year-long illness.

Born November 26, 1963 in Camden, NJ to Gilbert J. and Janet (Nicholas) Bates, Michael was a graduate of Overbrook HS, Pine Hill, NJ; Old Dominion University and Mississippi State University. In a career of 30 years, he taught middle school and high school science at Blair Middle School and Lake Taylor, BT Washington, and Maury High Schools in Norfolk, VA. After moving to Illinois in 2008, he taught at various Northern Illinois high schools in addition Sauk Valley CC and Illinois Valley CC.

He is survived by wife Greta, children Christopher Scanlon and Leslie (Jacob) Weber and grandson Caleb of Tidewater, VA as well as brothers James (Karen) of Los Angeles, CA and Gilbert W. of Lindenwold, NJ and niece Aimee of Roanoke, VA.

Memorials may be directed to Nightengales, 708 Jefferson St, Mendota, IL 61342 or Eternal Reefs, P.O. Box 3811, Sarasota, FL 34230-3811. Arrangements are being handled by Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota, IL; see their website for Zoom link for celebration of life information and online condolences. www.merrittfh.com

Published by The Virginian-Pilot on May 19, 2021.