Arnold Bates

Arnold Bates, 81, of Columbus, died at 10:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at his residence. He was born December 7, 1937, in Hartley, Kentucky, the son of Daniel and LaVesta Tackett Bates. He married Bernice Jewell Jonas September 16, 1960. He graduated from Indiana University with a degree in business management. While in school and during his time in the U.S. Air Force, 1957 – 1963, Arnold played on the basketball team. He worked at Cummins Engine Co. and after retirement drove a city bus for Columbus Transit. Arnold became an ordained minister September 8, 1984, and pastored at Valley Home Church in Freetown for approximately 34 years. He enjoyed coaching girl’s basketball and softball and volunteering at school. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with Rev. Arthur Amburgey and Rev. Jay Ingram officiating. Visitation will be 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Entombment will be at Garland Brook Cemetery Mausoleum with military honors provided by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. He is survived by his wife, Bernice; son, James Daniel (Tonya) Bates and daughter, Kimberly Shea Bates; grandchildren, Tiffany Jo, Allison, Kaylyn Bates, Ryanne and Ross Fenimore, and Heather Nicole, Evan Kyle and Tara Shea Bates; great-grandchildren, Connor and Emmett; and brothers, Ernest Dale (Madge) Bates of Chapmansville, West Virginia, Daniel (Mary Sue) Bates and Edgnel (Betty) Bates, both of Columbus, Raymond (Sue) Bates of Hazard, Kentucky, and Reginald (Ivory) Bates of Virgie, Kentucky, and sisters, Judy (Robie) Beverly of Scipio and Sue (Leo) Hampton of Oscodo, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Jeanette Fern Fleming, Helen Jean Mullins and Wanda Lou Sluka.