PRINCETON — Wanda Mae Bates, 82 of Princeton, Indiana passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2009 at her home in Princeton. She was a homemaker and lived in Princeton most of her life. She was born May 5, 1927 in Tennyson, Indiana.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William Gordon and Eunice B. (Vitito) Witherspoon. She was also preceded in death by her husband, John R. Bates in 1976; and brother, Jack Gordon.

Wanda is survived by her 9 children and their spouses, Patricia (Tim) O’Rourke of Bedford, IN, Joe (Donna) Bates of Crystal Lake, IL, Jerry (Billie) Bates of Hazelton, IN, Priscilla (Ron) Caringer of Princeton, IN, Barbara (Dale) Krieg of Princeton, IN, Jeff (Donna) Bates of Patoka, IN, Tim (Lana) Bates of Princeton, IN, Tom (Karen) Bates of International Falls, MN, and Pam Bates of Princeton; step-children and their families, Robert E. "Bud" (Priscilla) Bates of Owensboro, KY, Bonnie (Jerry) Lance of Oakland City, IN, and Ed (Vicki) Bates of Mt. Vernon, IL; 16 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday August 25, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton, with the Pastor Kevin Wilson officiating. Burial will be at the Warnock Cemetery in Princeton. Visitation will be from 4 until 8 P.M. on Monday at the Colvin Funeral Home.