WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Dorothy M. (nee Myers) Bates, 82, of Wakefield, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on April 16, 1942, in Chicago, a daughter of Bernard and Ruth Myers.

On Aug. 20, 1960, Dorothy married the love of her life, Richard W. Bates Sr., at the Bethany Methodist Church in Chicago. They celebrated nearly 52 years of marriage before his passing on June, 27, 2012.

For more than 20 years, she was the lunch lady at D.R. Cameron School in Chicago.

Dorothy looked forward to spending time with her family, friends and treasured pets.

Dorothy is survived by three sons, Rich Jr. (Christine), and their sons, Ken and Justin (Hayley), David, and his son, Nicholas, and John (Marnee), and their children, Jonathan, Tyler, Christopher, Haley, Mike, Matthew and Justin; a daughter, Debbie (Ray) Ojito, and their son, Ryan; 10 dear great-grandchildren; a sister, Patty Myers, and her sons, Jim and Steve; and other loving relatives.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and a sister.

A celebration of Dorothy's life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 10, beginning at 1 p.m., at her home.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.