Janice (Jan) Marie Bates "Curley", born June 8, 1943 at Sparrow Hospital, died peacefully surrounded by family and friends on July 10, 2024 at the age of 81. In her early years, Jan worked at MSU and in the State Police Crime Lab. She was the lunch/recess lady at Murphy elementary and Haslett Middle School from 1980-2011. Jan was involved in the lives of many children in the Haslett School District, so much that she became to be known as Curley.
Jan considered herself a "charter member" of Saint Thomas Aquinas Church starting in elementary school.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Johanna Eicher of Okemos; brothers, Doug Eicher (Joanne, Rob, Derek, Adam) of Lansing and Dick Eicher (MaryJane, Sarah) of Ann Arbor. Surviving is her husband of 59 years, Dale Bates of Haslett; son Mark Bates of Haslett; brothers, John Eicher (Martha Mikko, Anna, Erik) of Bath, Gerald Eicher of Las Vegas, and Tom Eicher (Karen) of Goodyear Az. Jan also had 2 granddaughters, Hannah and Julia Bates of Perry.
We would like to thank her great friends Denise Swartz and Sherry Kovach for their support and devotion during Jan's illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of Mass. The Rite of Committal will follow at Deepdale Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 pm Tuesday at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Chapel with the Rosary prayed at 7:30 pm.
