Robert A. Bates

Robert Allen "Bob" Bates, 92, of Cumberland, peacefully passed away on September 18, 2024, at Genesis Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born on December 22, 1931, in Noble County, Ohio, he was the son of Hicel and Helen (Allen) Bates.  Bob spent his early years helping on the family farm and graduated from Cumberland High School in 1949.  He was a Christian by faith baptized in the China Sea while proudly serving his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.  Bob was married to the love of his life, Lavaughn, on January 28, 1956, immediately upon his return from the service.  They were happily married for 63 years.  Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Bob dedicated 32 years of his career to Champion Spark Plug as a press mechanic before retiring in 1988.   He was an avid gardener, enjoying growing vegetables and flowers.  He was a member of the Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department for many years and served many years as the Street Commissioner for the Village of Cumberland.  In his later years, he was a fierce Scrabble player, enjoyed crossword and sudoku puzzles, and was a jigsaw puzzle master.   He enjoyed life, maintaining his quick wit and humor throughout.

Robert is survived by his two children, Jeffery and Bea Bates and Susan and Jeffrey Tucker; his grandchildren, Erica and Chris Kenny and William and Liv Bates; and six great-grandchildren, Cora Kenny, Declan Kenny, Hicel Bates, and Olin Bates, and Maria and Inez Adams.  He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ila “Lavaughn” (Johnson) Bates, who passed away on January 29, 2019, an infant daughter, Sheryl Ann, and by his three siblings, William Bates, Ruth Boyd, and Ruby Blackstone.

Visitation will be held from 11 AM to 1 PM on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Farus Funeral Home of Cumberland, followed by funeral services at 1 PM, officiated by Pastor Mark Beros. Robert will be laid to rest in the Cumberland Cemetery with full Military Honors provided by the Guernsey County Veterans Council.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Cumberland Fire Department or Cumberland EMT Service, 444 West Main Street, Cumberland, Ohio 43732.