RODNEY C. BATES
ASHLAND, N.H. and DEXTER - Rodney C. Bates, 63, passed away on May 19, 2005, at Speare Memorial Hospital in Plymouth, N.H. after a long illness. He was born May 2, 1942, in Dexter, to Clarence C. and Mildred Carle Bates. He worked many years at Dexter Shoe Co. and Guilford Industries before moving to Ashland, N.H. in 1985, where he then worked at the Rochester Shoe Tree.

He is survived by his mother, Mildred Bates, of Dexter; his long-time companion and buddy, Sandy Swiger of Ashland, N.H.; his four children, Brian of Dunnellon, Fla., Kimberly Beaudoin of Corinna, Kelly-Jo Ramsdell of Springvale, and Mary Keeping of South Hiram. His three brothers, Lawrence of Dexter, Keith of Newport, and Gary of Dexter; His four sisters, Margaret McKenney of Dexter, Eleanor Pratt of Guilford, Sylvia Larry of Newport, and Beverly Potter of Elkton, Md. He is also survived by his extended family Gwen Newell of Laconia, N.H., Debbie Piper of Campton, N.H., and Lisa Young of Holderness, N.H. He was predeceased by his father, Clarence, in 1992; and by his sister, Bonnie Breingan, in 2004. He will be sadly missed by his 13 grandchildren and his many friends and family. He will be remembered for being a great jokester and for his love of playing horseshoes.

There will be a graveside service 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28 at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Dexter.