Roy D. Bates

WEST PLAINS, Mo. -- Roy Dennis "Denny" Bates, 75, of West Plains, Missouri, formerly of Mattoon, Illinois, passed away at 9:10 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at Ozark Medical Center in West Plains, Missouri. Graveside services with Military Honors by the V.F.W. Post 4325 will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, in the Dodge Grove Cemetery with the Reverend Robert C. Clark officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. Tuesday morning at the Schilling Funeral Home, 1301 Charleston Avenue in Mattoon. Denny was born January 18, 1934 in Maroa, Illinois, the son of Roy W. and Lano E. (Kaltenback) Bates. He married Nancy L. Peterson on July 28, 1956 in Decatur, Illinois. Survivors include his loving wife of nearly 53 years, Nancy Bates of West Plains, Mo., his children, Catherine M. Giffel and husband Brad Giffel of Champaign and D. Lynne Andres and husband Tom Andres of Mattoon; a sister, Donna J. Kirkendoll of Nokomis, IL, and four grandchildren, Rachel Giffel and Ryan Giffel, both of Champaign, Marie Roetker of Mattoon and husband Jordan Roetker who is stationed in Baghdad, Iraq, and Joy Vanneste of Honolulu, Hawaii. He was preceded in death by his parents; his infant sister, Doris Darlene Bates; his father-in-law, Morris Franklin Peterson and his mother-in-law, Lula (Simpson) Peterson. Mr. Bates was formerly employed with the US Air Force-Strategic Air Command, retiring after 21 years of military service as a nuclear weapons specialist. Following his military career, Denny worked at Justrite Manufacturing in Mattoon, retiring after 20 years. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to a local charity of donor's choice.