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CORTLAND -- It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our wonderful mother, Bernice "Bernie" Bates on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at Windsor House at Champion, and also in great joy that she be allowed to join her loved ones in heaven.
Bernie was born March 10, 1937, in Warren, the daughter of the late Bernard and Catharine Hulton Grate. She graduated from Howland High School.
Bernie, as a child, loved spending time on roller skates, flying in her dad's plane and fishing with her dad. When the time came for Bernice to drive, she had the choice to either get a driver's license or her pilot's license. When asked why she chose the driver's license, she said because she liked boys.
On Oct. 1, 1956, she eloped to Indiana and married Phillip J. Bates, the love of her life. There were no wedding pictures, just a packed lunch provided by her loving mother-in-law. They shared just shy of 40 years of marriage. Together, they farmed Rolling Acres Farm and provided milk hauling service with Bates Milk Cartage.
Bernie embraced becoming a country girl, learning to milk cows, bale hay and garden. She selflessly worked long hours and treated each animal with care. In between she would make meals, do laundry and chase parts for the trucks that delivered the milk. If there was a definition for the word resilience, the word Bernie would be beside it.
In later years, age did not hold Bernie down as she continued to help such companies as Birrell's Towing and also worked as a night watch person at King Bros.
As a parent, mom held a strong tongue, often telling you what you needed to hear versus what you wanted to hear. As a friend, she shared the same attribute, but was a loyal but very opinionated friend. Bernie would be remembered as a friend who would regularly check on her friends to make sure they were okay and if there was anything that they would need.
Bernie was a dreamer and spent her life putting her dreams aside to help others achieve their dreams.
Bernie and Phil raised their four children, Donald J., Lawrence L., Mary (Rex) King and Lisa Kolley on the rolling pastures of the 88-acre dairy farm. The dairy farm provided income, but most importantly, it provided many wonderful memories that included hayrides, sled riding and visiting with neighbors.
In addition to her children, she is survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her big, little brother, Thomas (Judy) Grate; and her wonderful nieces and nephews whom she enjoyed phone conversations with on a regular basis.
Bernie was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws; husband, Phil; sister, Betty Robison; grandsons, Donald J. Jr. and Daniel A. Bates; and her dearest friend, Opal Suhar.
Special thanks to her caretakers at Windsor House at Champion for their kind and caring ways. We are forever thankful for Tammy Cogswell and her sweet angel, Faith Cogswell, who came to visit mom religiously four times per week.
A celebration of life will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Wildare Church, 7211 N. Park Ave., Cortland, OH 44410. Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Dec. 2 at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Animal Pawtectors, PO Box 303, Cortland, OH 44410, or at www.animalpawtectors.org.
Baumgardner Funeral & Cremation Service, Kinsman, handled the arrangements. Share a fond memory or condolence at www.baumgardnerfuneralhome.com.
(special notice)