Longtime Phoenixville Man, Army Vet, Local Volunteer Dies At 82

Image and obituary courtesy Campbell Ennis Klotzbach Funeral Home

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Edwin S. Bates, age 82, husband of Donna J. (Biederbeck) Bates, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, passed away on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 in the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia. Born on March 18, 1936 in Peoria, Illinois, he was a son of the late Sumner Bates and Maxine (Simmons) Bass.

Mr. Bates was a graduate of Princeville High School and Knox College in Galesburg, IL. He served in the United States Army Artillery Unit. Mr. Bates worked in sales for UARCO, Inc. for 35 years before his retirement. He was an active member of the Peoria Jaycees and held a position as a District Commissioner for Babe Ruth baseball. Mr. Bates was also an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Phoenixville, where he served on the administrative board as well as a Trustee. He enjoyed music, golfing and playing in Men's basketball and volleyball leagues. Most of all, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren meant the world to him, and he enjoyed watching them in all of their activities.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Bates is survived by three children, Douglas C., husband of Teresa Bates of Mountain Top, PA, David H. Bates of Paoli, PA, and Susan L., wife of Jeff Hostler of Glen Gardner, NJ; seven grandchildren, Chelsea, wife of Eric Kaczmarczyk, Michael Bates, Erika Bates, Mitchell Bates, Laura Hostler, Kelly Hostler, and Sam Hostler; two great-grandchildren, Lukin and Hannah Kaczmarczyk; two nieces, Becky Cantrall and Julie Howar; and special cousin, Sharon DeWeerth.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral ceremony at the First United Methodist Church of Phoenixville, 865 South Main Street, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 11:00 am. Officiating will be Rev. Mark Young. Burial will be held in the Morris Cemetery, Phoenixville. Friends will be received from 9:45 am - 10:45 am Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the National MS Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, NY 10163 or to the First United Methodist Church of Phoenixville, Memo: Bells, at the address above. Condolences may be made by visiting www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.