Lee Roger Bates

OAKWOOD - Lee Roger Bates, 79, of Oakwood died at 7:55 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born July 1, 1936 in Paulding to the late Roy and Daisy (Hitchcock) Bates.  On February 28, 1960, he married Elizabeth Diettrich, who survives in Oakwood.

Survivors also include 6 children: Robert (Cindy) Bates of Muncie, IN, Richard (Bridget) Bates of Roseville, CA, Lisa Deel of Fayette, NC, Sandra (David) Miller of Tipp City, Mary Bates of Perrysburg, and Kristina (Charles) Sacks of Scottsdale, AZ; 12 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.

Lee was owner-operator of several laundromats in Oakwood and Paulding.  He also was a salesman for the former Cooper Furniture in Oakwood.  He was a graduate of Oakwood High School and attended Bowling Green State University.  He was a volunteer for the Oakwood Fire Department.

Funeral services will begin at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Oakwood with Deacon Joe Heeter officiating.  Burial will follow in Prairie Chapel Cemetery, Oakwood.  Visitation will be 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Oakwood Fire Department or Twin Oaks United Methodist Church, Oakwood.

Condolences may be expressed at www.heitmeyerfuneralhome.com.