CAROLYN ANN BATES

October 11, 1948 – November 6, 2022

GOSHEN- Carolyn Ann Bates, 74, of Goshen, passed away Sunday, November 6, 2022 at Elkhart General Hospital. She was born October 11, 1948 in McMinnville, TN to the late Thomas H. and Josephine (Swan) Burks.

On October 31, 1997 she married Steve R. Bates in Gatlinburg, TN.

Other survivors include 3 sons, Steve (Maureen) Wenzel, Jason (Barbara) Wenzel and Sean (Beth) Wenzel; step-daughter, Amy Bates; step-son, Aaron Bates; 3 sisters, Billie Freeze, Linda (Chuck) Lock , and Louise (Bill) McDowell; 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph Thomas

Burks and a granddaughter, Ashley Wagner.

She was a 1966 graduate of Elkhart High School

Carolyn was employed as a Terminal Manager in the manufactured housing

industry for several years prior to her retirement.

She loved to bake especially at Christmas and also enjoyed reading.

Her grandchildren meant the world to her and loved spending time with them.

The family will receive friends 3 hours prior to the 5:00 pm funeral service on

Thursday, November 10, 2022 at Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home, 700 E. Jackson Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46516. Pastor Bob Vale will officiate.