HERMAN E. BATES

Herman E. Bates, age 87, of Brighton, formerly of Britton, passed away March 12, 2012.Herman was born October 19, 1924 in Salt Rock, W. Virginia the son of Samuel and Judith (Porter) Bates. On September 25, 1948, he married Patricia Meyers in Palmyra and she preceded him in death November 30, 1998. Then in 2005 he married Marie Nitz. Herman served his country in the United States Army from 1943-1945 seeing action in the Italian Campaign during World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star in 1944 and the Purple Heart in 1945. For over 50 years he was a resident of the Britton area until moving to Brighton in 2005.Herman retired from the Tecumseh Products in 1983 after 33 years of service. While living in Britton, Herman attended the Ridgeway and the Howell Church of the Nazarene and was a member of the Britton VFW for many years.His hobbies were reading, woodworking and hunting.In addition to his wife Marie, Herman is survived by his three children, Sue (Leon) Sokol of Manchester, Samuel (Teresa) Bates of Britton and Christopher (Pauline) Bates of Blissfield, six grandchildren, Samantha (Mike) Teasley, Valerie (Michael) Fetters, Patrick Bates, Carly (Jay) McNeil, Nicholas (Danielle) Bates, and Lesley Bates; six great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; step daughter, Naomi Nitz of Brighton; brother, Hansford Bates of Adrian; sister, Betty Hill of Indiana and numerous nieces and nephewsHe was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Patricia; brothers and sisters.Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 16. 2012 at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh with Rev. Ray Hansen officiating. Burial will follow in Ridgeway Cemetery, Ridgeway with military honors performed by Michigan Army National Guard Honor Guard Team. Visitation will be 12-2 p.m. also on Friday, two hours preceding the service. Condolences to the family may be made online at www.pursefuneralhome.com.