Violet Bates

Violet Helen Bates, 87 of Empire died Tuesday, June 30, 2015.

She was born on February 19, 1928 in Detroit, Michigan the daughter of Claude and Loverta (Thompson) Putnam.

She enjoyed crafts, gardening, and baking. She was very active in her church and the Church Women United, where she received the honor of Valiant Woman and was a long time hospice volunteer.

Violet is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Lee Robert Bates; they were married, June 30, 1951 and she lived into the day of her 64th Anniversary; her children, Meredith (Bill) Goodrick of Empire, JoEllen (Tom) Kilpela of Clawson and Maureen (Jim) Ligotti of Clinton Twp; grandchildren, Michael, Meghan, Brandon, Devon and Jackson, sisters, Ruth Krebs of Clawson, Claudine Bauer of Dearborn Heights, Virginia (Ted) Brown of Utica, Jean Coulter of Livonia and Joan Haldeman of Shelby Twp.

She is preceded in death by her parents, sister, Margaret Mattson and brother, Lorne Schultz.

Funeral Services will be held 11am, Monday, July 6, 2015 at the Empire United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends starting at 10am. Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Empire. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Empire United Methodist Church or to Heartland Hospice Services of Traverse City. Please visit Violet's webpage at www.lifestorytc.com to sign the guest book and share a message with her family. The family chose Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City.