EARL R. "JOE" BATES
GUILFORD - Earl R. “Joe” Bates, 82, died May 11, 2008 at his home in Guilford, with family around him. He was born in Newport, November 3, 1925, son of Stanley and Grace Bates. He was married to the late Thelma Bates for 44 years. He attended Hartland schools. Joe joined a country western band that was featured on a radio show on WLBZ in Bangor. He worked at a factory in Hartland for many years and later worked with his father in the woods. He bought a team of horses that he used in his woods work until his retirement due to poor health. He loved pulling ponies.

He is survived by 2 daughters and their husbands, Gloria Jean and Irvin Clark of Ludlow, and Betty and Robert Sturgeon of Ashland; 2 sisters, Viola Story of Corinth and Elizabeth Perkins of Guilford; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, including a special niece and her husband, Donna and Martin Mower who have been caring for him for the past several months.

A private graveside service will be held at the family lot in Hartland. The family would like to thank those that have dropped off food and have visited with Joe.

Arrangements by Crosby & Neal, Guilford. For an online guest register, go to www.CrosbyNeal.com.