Eric and Danny were two of the guys I looked up to at UHigh.

Painted houses in the summers with Eric, Danny and Steve Wolfe. We wore awesome red and white striped pants. Eric always painted the highest gables from rickety wooden ladders. 

Swimming in the Mackinaw at the rope swing was always a good time until we lost a canoe.

Drank my first warm Budweiser in Eric’s car with Danny and Les. Box of toothpicks on the dash.

We played some pretty good football in between.

My condolences to the Bates family. It’s a sad day here.

RIP Eric.

Dear Bates Family,

     I too went to University High School in Normal, IL  and was a student at UHigh when Eric was there. I knew him through the sports program because I was a cheerleader. I didn’t know Eric well, but what I did know of him was that he was a nice guy, a sweet guy. 
     The cheerleading squad historically had not cheered for the Wrestling Team, but we were asked to do so by the coaching staff, and I had a lot to learn to be able to cheer well for the team. I learned the most by watching Eric wrestle because clearly he was one of the very best. He showed anyone who was paying attention that wrestling wasn’t just about being strong, but additional skills were necessary, like determination, thinking strategically, and having finesse in your movements. 
     I am so sorry for your family’s loss, which I’m sure affects everyone tremendously. And I send my sincerest condolences and heartfelt prayers hoping that you’ll find some measure of peace.
     I’m sending a special wish for Jean Barclay Bates, with whom I was a classmate and friend. Jean, I’m so very sorry for your and Danny’s loss. I know how close you all  were way back in our high school days.
     Peace and prayers, 
     Maribeth Allen
     Evanston, IL

To Debi & All The Bates - For those of you who don’t know me, I am one of Eric’s “California” cousins and,  because of distance and conflicting life and career path/demands, I wasn’t able to get and stay connected with Eric. However, Emmy…thank you… kept  me updated and and aware of all his successes and achievements. I followed his wrestling exploits and recognitions, career advancements, and “family life” joys. It is my loss that I will no longer have that opportunity with Eric…a lesson to me, that life is too short, and the that the most important things are to pursue and enjoy  family and friends. I will be praying for Debi  and the entire Bates family to be able to focus on the remarkable life he lived, the impact he left on each of them, and vice versa - May God Bless Each Of You, Brian Pierce

I met Eric when he taught a kayaking class at Comlara Park.  He was a wonderful teacher, and now I own a kayak and paddle weekly when the weather permits.  I send my condolences to the family and offer my appreciation for Eric's gift to introduce me to kayaking in my 60s.  When I paddle, I will remember him with gratitude.

I worked with Eric at Roanoke Benson as he was in charge of the high school students in the cafeteria. He was always pleasant and he talked very fondly about you as his wife. Please know that I want to give you my support and sympathy. He was a very nice man.

I knew Eric when he worked at Roanoke Benson. I always enjoyed him working in the Cafeteria when he was in charge of the high school students. He always spoke about you, his wife. He was a super nice man. He took me and my husband to kayak at Evergreen Lake one time. I am so sorry for your loss.   Angie Hinrichs.

Dear family:
I was so very sorry to hear of Eric's passing. I am the school nurse at Roanoke-Benson and worked with Eric for many years. Two of my kids had him as a teacher and really adored him and kept in touch over the years. He will be missed by many.
God bless, 
Colleen Oltman

Debbie I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers for peace and comfort for you and the family.

Remember when Eric student taught at LeRoy High Schools wood shop Class in the early 70s when I was a student there and having conversations over a Beer at schooners when we were both in the chimney sweeping Industry.  Sympathies to the Family,  Ed Underhill King City Chimney Sweep  LeRoy Il.

My name is Linda Wiseman; I was high school secretary at Roanoke Benson High school during the time Eric was teaching.  He always had a smile and always so helpful.  I really enjoyed working with him.
My husband and I ran into him sometime within the last few months at the Normal Wal Mart recycling center.  You have our deepest sympathy on your loss.
Roger and Linda Wiseman

I am so sorry for your families loss.  I was fortunate to have had him as a teacher and wrestling coach when he student taught at LeRoy.   He was truly an inspiration and a good man.
May God bless him and your family.
Lance Wood

Mrs. Bates:  I am so sorry to the loss of Eric.  I never formally met him, but will always be grateful for t his intervention in a very bad situation I was involved in.
I was a Bloomington Police Detective during Eric's college days at ISU.  While working one day, my partner and I received a dispatch about a man passing counterfeit $100 bills in downtown Bloomington.  He was described as very tall and muscular.  We spotted him and ordered him to stop.  He took off running and we caught up to him.  We tried to cuff him and the fight was on.  He was amazingly strong and violently resisting our efforts to arrest him.
Three times we managed to get him to the ground, but each time he powered back to his feet.  We got him down one last time and we were running out of steam.  All of a sudden a guy came out of nowhere, twisted his head so powerfully and he collapsed to his stomach.  He helped us hold him down, hand cuff him and tie his boot laces together and load him in the squad car. It was Eric who helped us.  We were in a hurry to get the suspect to the police station, so we never go to thank Eric for saving our hides.  He was a hero that day to us, and I'm sure he was to you every day.  
I often tell this story about the NCAA All American Wrestler who helped us.  Respectfully, Charlie Crowe

Prayers to whole family, Eric was my teacher in High School. Was a Great Guy, and Friend. He will be missed by many, R.I.P. Eric.

OBITUARY

Eric Emerson Bates

October 18, 1950 – April 8, 2024

East Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

Show your support

Send Flowers

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Visitation

Funeral Service