Mildred L. Bates

Penn Yan/Dundee, NY: Mildred L. Bates, age 81, currently of Cary, IL, previously of Penn Yan, died Wednesday March 27, 2024 at the home of her daughter Cheryl, in Cary, IL.

Calling hours will be from 5:00 - 7:00 pm Thursday Apr. 4, 2024 at the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee; where a Catholic funeral service will be held at 7:00 pm with Father Leo Reinhardt officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Dundee.

Memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of Yates County, P.O. Box 12, Penn Yan, N.Y. 14527.

Mildred was born July 26, 1942 in Penn Yan, NY, one of ten children, of the late Albert E. and Anna Lajza Hess Sr. She was a 1960 graduate of Dundee Central School. She married Harold D. Bates who passed away Feb. 14, 2003.

Mildred and Harold worked in law enforcement in the mid 1970's as Sheriff and Deputy in Wheelwright, KY; a small mining town in South Eastern KY. She retired from Bodine Electric in Chicago IL.

She enjoyed reading, puzzle books, gardening and watching TV.

She is survived by 2 daughters Cheryl (Jerry) Halas of Cary, IL and Lisa A. Bates of Branchport, NY, 3 granddaughters Michelle L. Proctor of Goodman, MO, Angela Vazquez of Middlesex, NY and Angelika L. Vazquez of Penn Yan; 9 great great grandchildren and 1 great great great grandson; her only living sister Rosemarie Smith and brother in law Joseph Stahl; and countless nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, and husband she was preceded in death by sisters, and brother in laws, Gloria (Jack) Grenham, Leona (Bob) Smith, Virginia Stahl, Barbara (Roland) Smith, Mary Ruth (Jerry) Whipple, Shirley (AC) Dobson, Cora Jane (Roger) Miller; and brother and sister-in-law Albert (Vivian) Hess Jr.; and brother-in-law Kenneth Smith.

Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.