John Bates, Jr., 97, of Lamor Road, Mercer, passed away the morning of April 20, 2013 at Carriage Court, 3102 Ellwood Road. Born August 26, 1915, in Ellwood City, he was a son of John Bates, Sr. and Mary Yurcic Bates Lovra. He was preceded in death on March 16, 2002, by his wife of 65 years, Eleanor Curry Bates, whom he married August 26, 1936. John worked as a steelworker in the hot mill as a furnace man for U.S. Steel, National Tube, for over 41 years. He was the first fire chief and last charter member of the Chewton Volunteer Fire Company. He enjoyed hunting, carpentry, farming and repairing televisions. He was a member of Cool Spring Presbyterian Church in Mercer. He was a former member of Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church where he had served as a deacon and elder. John is survived by three daughters, Judith Shaffer of New Castle, Pamela Courtney of Mercer, and Benetta Myers of Bastrop, LA; one son, Donald Bates of Ellwood City; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Mike, Louis, and Chuck Bates; one sister, Rose Bates; and three half-brothers, Joe, Al, and Mike Lovra. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road. A funeral service will immediately follow visitation at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and will be officiated by Rev. John Creekpaum of Cool Spring Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Slippery Rock Presbyterian Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Cool Spring Presbyterian Church, 787 Cool Spring Church Road, Mercer, PA 16137 or to Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church, 258 Slippery Rock Drive, Ellwood City, PA 16117.