Gerald "Benny" Bates, 91, of Oelwein Iowa, formerly of Fairbank, died Thursday, September 1, 2016, at Grandview Nursing Home, Oelwein, Iowa.

Benny was born September 22, 1924, in Fairbank Iowa, son of John and Virgie (Summers)-Bates. Married to Winifred Picard (died 1967), Lois Eckhart (divorced 1988). He later married Joan Shannon on March 17, 1998 (died 2015).

Gerald attended the Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Fairbank. He served in the US Army in WWII. Benny worked and retired with the LA Times, Los Angeles, California.

He is survived by sons Gregory of Washington, Paul of California and daughter Paula of California, brother Verble of Florida and sister Ina of Illinois and many nieces and nephews. Stepdaughters, Connie (Wayne) Thibault of Scottsdale, AZ, Judy Gamm (Mark Sears) of Gifford and Barbara Dugan (Scott Rayhons) of Garner; four step-grandchildren, three great grandchildren and step-sister in law Geraldine (Geri) Bliss of Oelwein.

He is preceded in death by his wife Joan M. Shannon, his parents, a son Bruce Bates, step-son Robert Joseph Dugan, Sisters - Nellie, Thelma, Nyda; brothers - Clifford, Edwin, Harold, Kenneth and former wife Winifred Picard.

Services: His body donated to the University of Iowa, services will be held at a later date.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Croix Hospice, PO Box 111, Strawberry Point, IA 52076