Shelby County Indiana
Obituaries
Bate - Bates
The Indianapolis StarCharles T. Bate, 93, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away on January 15, 2026. He was born on November 14, 1932, in Muncie, Indiana, to parents, Thomas E. Bate and Vina Florence (Jackson) Bate. Charles graduated from Butler University in 1955 and Indiana University Law School in 1962. He was a Trustee Emeritus at Anderson University, Trustee at Warner Pacific College, and founding member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. His other accomplishments and recognitions are too many to mention. His greatest love of lawyering was helping others through their toughest times.
Marion County, Indiana
March 20, 2026
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Charles T. Bate
November 14, 1932 – January 15, 2026
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He was extremely active in the Church of God movement. He helped form and start many churches and programs throughout his life. Even after retirement, he started the Stephen Ministry and was an Elder at the Church at the Crossing where he started a bereavement program and also taught Kindergarten.
His greatest love was for his wife, Barbara, of 70 plus years of marriage. He always talked about what a blessing it was to have such a wife. “Together Forever.” He was most proud of being a son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. These are the things he cherished. He had a motto to live by. It was HIDTWIC, "Have I done today what I could." He always did. His favorite song was "It Is Well With My Soul."
Charles is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Kay (Dailey) Bate; sons, Charles "Chuck" (Karen) Bate, Gregory (Cheri) Bate, and Jeffrey (Leslie) Bate; grandchildren, Ashley, Danielle, Tyler, Joshua, Samuel, Taylor, Haley and Grace. He also had nine (9) great-grandchildren.
There will be a Celebration of Life in the future. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to The Church at the Crossing - 9111 Haverstick Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelbyville RepublicanCharley Burl Bates, age 62 years, was found dead about four o'clock Wednesday afternoon in the woods of the John Tindall farm, two and one-half miles east of Shelbyville near the Mt. Pisgah church, where he had gone Tuesday afternoon to cut wood. The body was discovered by William Bates, a brother, and Perry Rhodes, about twenty-six hours after death occurred according to the report of Clyde Underwood, Shelby county coroner, which stated that death was due to apaplexy[sic].
February 27, 1930
Page 1
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FIND C. B. BATES
DEAD IN WOODS
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Brother, Neighbor Discovered Body
Wednesday P.M. on Farm East of City.
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HAD BEEN DEAD 26 HOURS
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Deceased Stricken With Apoplexy Coroner
Reports; Had Gone to Chop Wood.
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Mr. Bates had been living alone in Melterzerville since the death of his mother, Mrs. Horace Bates, which occurred eight weeks ago. The brother and neighbors did not become alarmed when they did not see Mr. Bates about his home Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning as he was in the habit of visiting his sister, Mrs. Artie Edwards, of Manilla, and other relatives for a day or two at a time. When someone reported seeing him go into the woods about 12:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon a search was begun, and the body was found a short time afterwards on the Tindall farm.
The deceased was born in Shelby county May 24, 1867 and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Bates. Besides the brother already mentioned he leaves two other brothers, Harry Bates, of Anderson; and Bert Bates of Shelby county; two sisters, Mrs. Artie Edwards, of Manilla; and Mrs. Ollie Baker, of Indianapolis.
Mr. Bates had been a member of the Mt. Pisgah church for the past thirty-five years.
The body was taken to the home in Meltzerville, where friends may call any time from five o'clock this evening until the hour of the funeral. Funeral services will be conducted from the Mt. Pisgah church Friday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, with the Rev. John Reese officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery in charge of Charles M. Ewing.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelbyville RepublicanFuneral services for Mrs. Sarah Frances Bates, whose death occurred Thursday morning at her home east of the city, will be in the church cemetery in charge of Charles M. Ewing.
January 3, 1930
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FUNERAL SUNDAY.
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Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelbyville RepublicanA complication of diseases caused the death this morning at 10:30 o'clock of Mrs. Sarah Frances Bates at her home two and one-half miles east of Shelbyville on the Cynthian pike.
January 2, 1930
Page 1
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DIED TODAY AT
HOME NEAR CITY
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Complication of Diseases
Causes Death of Mrs.
Sarah Frances Bates.
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EIGHTY-TWO YEARS OLD
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Mrs. Bates was born in Scott county Kentucky, May 14, 1847 and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Green Burgess. She was 82 years old at the time of death.
The deceased is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Arle Edwards, of near Manilla, and Mrs. Ollie Baker, of Indianapolis; and four sons, Harry Bates, and Anderson Herbert Bates, of Shelbyville, William Bates, of Shelby county, and Charles Bates, at home.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Charles M. Ewing.
[Buried in Mount Pisgah Cemetery.]
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Daily Evening DemocratThe five-year-old daughter of Horace Bates, of this township, died at five o'clock yesterday evening. The remains were buried at Mt. Pisgah Church at ten o'clock this morning.
Shelbyville, Indiana
Wednesday, July 27, 1881
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Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
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