Farrel E. Bates

Dec. 10, 1927--Nov. 16, 2005

BEAVER CITY -- Farrel E. Bates, 77, died Wednesday (Nov. 16, 2005) at Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island.

He was born Dec. 10, 1927, in Colorado Springs, Colo. to Joseph and Clara (Massengill) Bates. He graduated from Beaver City High School in 1945.

He served two years in the Merchant Marines and two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

He married Barbara Chesterman on Aug. 10, 1950, in Elwood.

He was a truck driver, farmer and worked for the City of Beaver City.

He was a member of the Furnas Bowman Association, the First Christian Church, VFW Post No. 5281 and was a Boy Scout leader.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Nancy in 2000.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Bates of Beaver City; two sons, Tim Bates and wife, Susan of Centereach, N.Y., and Gregory Bates of McCook; sister, Joyce and husband, James Stratton of Beaver City; and three grandchildren.

Services will be Saturday, 10:30 a.m., at First Christian Church in Beaver City, with the Revs. Phil Olsen and Keith Theobald officiating. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery with military honors.

Visitation will be Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., at Wenburg Funeral Home in Beaver City and prior to services Saturday at the church.

Condolences can be sent at www.wenburgfuneralhome.com.

Wenburg Funeral Home of Beaver City is in charge of arrangements.