Bates, Gordon W.

Age 89, of Crown Point, IN, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2014 at his home.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Shirley Forney-Bates; 2 daughters, Gloriene Mikuta and Doris (Bruce) McKee both of Crown Point; 4 grandchildren, Paul (Andrea) Mikuta, Eric Mikuta, Derek (fiancée, Amanda DeGard) McKee and Hunter McKee; 1 greatgranddaughter, Harper. He was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Nina Bates; 3 brothers, Hulan, James and Walter; sisters, Effie and Nora Marcum. Gordon was a member of South Lake Christian Church in Crown Point. In 1955, he came to work for Fleming & Kurtz Insurance Agency which later became known as Fleming, Bates & Barber Insurance, Inc. and served as Chairman of the Board and President for many years until his retirement in 1991. The insurance agency is now known as Pinnacle Insurance Group of Indiana, Inc. Gordon was very philanthropic to his community; serving as past President and member of the Crown Point Chamber of Commerce, past President and member of Youche Country Club, and past board member of the Crown Point Community Foundation. He was Co-Chair of the fund-raising committee to build St. Anthony Medical Center in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s; and was past President of the St. Anthony Medical Center Community Advisory Board. He was a member of the Crown Point Masonic Lodge #157 and a recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Frank O’Bannon in 1997. Gordon proudly served in the Army Airborne 503rd Regiment during WWII and 14 years in the Army Reserve. He was a member of the Crown Point American Legion Fred Schmidt Post #20.

Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at Geisen Funeral, Cremation & Reception Centre, 606 E. 113th Ave. /South St., Crown Point, IN 46307 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a Masonic service at 5:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 3, 2014 at Geisen Funeral, Cremation & Reception Centre in Crown Point, IN at 10:30 a.m. with John Starr officiating. Interment will take place at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Crown Point Community Foundation or South Lake Christian Church.

View directions and/or sign guestbook at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com or contact 219-6632500.