Gerald Bates

Gerald Bates obituary, Bloomington, IN

Gerald Bates

Gerald Bates Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Allen Funeral Home and Crematory on Nov. 5, 2025.

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Gerald Bates, 74, of Williams, passed away at 5:24 a.m. on Monday, November 3, 2025, at IU Health Bedford.
He was born on January 4, 1951, in Seco, Kentucky, to Curtis and Nina (Peck) Bates.
Gerald worked as a fishing guide and a fur trapper in Williams on the White River. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bedford. He was an avid outdoorsman that loved hunting, fishing, and woodworking, often making walking sticks and dream catchers. Family was everything to this man, especially his two sons. He will be deeply missed.
Gerald is survived by his son, Gerald "Curtis" Bates; brother, Alan (Judy) Bates; sister, Linda Pilkenton; grandchildren, Braleigh, Lucas, Dylan, Bradley, and Nevaeh Bates, and Kora and Kade Rutkowski; cousin, Alan Short; aunt, Minnie Ellen; dog, Rocky; and many more extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Samuel William Bates.
A graveside service for Gerald will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Valhalla Memory Gardens in Bloomington with military rites by the Monroe County Honor Guard. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory was entrusted to the care of these arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Allen Funeral Home and Crematory

4155 South Old State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47401-7483

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