Douglass Hadley Bateman

DOUGLASS HADLEY BATEMAN, 87, of Fort Wayne, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004, in Miami, Fla., where he was staying with his granddaughter, Michelle P. Skinger and husband, George W. Skinger, along with their five children. He was preceded in death by his first wife, June "Hadley" Bateman of Fort Wayne; second wife, Florence Kline Bateman of Goshen; son, Donald Bateman; and daughter, Judith Faye Vera of Miami, Fla. He is survived by his son, Douglass W. Bateman of Fort Wayne; seven grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grand-child; and sister, June Rose Carter of Springfield, Ill. He started his career in radio in the late 1930s as a news political reporter in his home town of Springfield, Ill., and then as a sports announcer covering Southern Illinois on the same network as Ronald Reagan. He was selected as one of the top 10 radio personalities in the U.S. along with Dave Garroway. After serving his country in World War II Army Air Corps, special services, he returned to radio and the prospects of the new invention - television. After moving to Norristown, Pa. to try to break into TV on the east coast, he then moved his family to Fort Wayne in 1952, where WANE radio was to get the first TV license. His first wife, June "Hadley", who passed away in 1976, was his partner on WANE, WKJG and WGL radio shows "From A to Z with June & Doug Hadley" and WPTA-TV with one of the first local community participation shows. As well as being co-owners of Hadley House Advertising. One of their many clients was Col. Sanders and his "Kentucky Fried Chicken" serviced over five years internationally from here in Fort Wayne. Both Doug and June were Silver Medal Award recipients of the Fort Wayne Advertising Association. Doug was advertising man of the year for Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. He was past president of the FWAA, the FW Press Club, charter member of the Mad Anthony's and past president and chairman of the board of the FW American Red Cross. Under his guidance with his board, the current site was chosen, and the building constructed. The Fort Wayne Lutheran newspaper was established and produced under his and June's guidance until she passed away. He retired six years later and married his second wife, Florence Kline Bateman, and moved to Goshen, where she lived. A strong Christian, his faith in Jesus Christ helped carry him through the transition from this world, to be home with his Lord and Savior in life everlasting. Proverbs 3:5 & 6. Memorial service to be announced at a later date.