LaDonna Jean Bates

LaDonna Jean “Johnni” Bates, 88, of Homosassa, FL and formerly of Zanesfield, OH, passed away at 6:30 am on Sunday, December 4, 2022, in Cypress Cove Care Center, Crystal River, Florida.

Mom was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio on October 12, 1934, the daughter of the late Oval and Esta (Tallman) Johns.

She was a homemaker with strong beliefs in right and wrong which she strove to install in all her children, raising her large family, including fostering eight Catholic Charities infants. When we were kids her nickname was Witchypoo because she would chase us around with a broomstick in order” to get our minds right” when we screwed up. Her favorite saying was ”oh you dirty bird”.

She worked briefly for the F.B.I., before serving her country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.  She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Bellefontaine and was known as a very giving person who had a real zest for life. Mom was a real spitfire, never afraid to challenge someone or something she felt was wrong including protecting manatees from being harassed which is why for 18 years, she along with her husband Bill, had volunteered with the Manatee Watch program at the Homosassa Wildlife State Park.

Growing up in the depression Mom developed a strong personality and reminded you of a little bantam, never afraid to defend her ”chicks” and this strength was the glue that bound our family(s) together.

On May 5, 1984, she married her very loving and devoted husband Billy F. Bates, and he survives of Homosassa Florida. 

She is also survived by her children: James Eric (Diane) Tynan of Castroville CA. Donna "Shelly" (Mike) Anderson of Granberry, TX, Paul E. Tynan of Santa Rosa, Ca., and Dan R. Tynan of Bellefontaine, OH, her additional children: Cathy Mickelberry of Homosassa, FL, Brenda (Frank) Long of Homosassa, FL, Richard Bates of Valley Hi, OH, Donald (Lisa) Bates of Marysville, OH, Jeff (Chelsea) Bates of Renton, WA, Anthony Bates of Wapakoneta, OH, a sister, Betty Cheney of Upper Sandusky, OH, 41 grandchildren and many great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Pam (Offitt) Grube of Bellefontaine and family would like to give specials thanks to Jolene.

She was preceded in death by her sons, Michael E. Tynan, John Patrick Tynan, and Terrence Richard Tynan, her brother, Richard Johns, and former husband Don M. Tynan.

Father Shawn Landenwitch will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, in St. Patrick Catholic Church, 316 E. Patterson Avenue, Bellefontaine, Ohio.  Visitation will be on Wednesday, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, OH.  Burial will be in Zanesfield Cemetery with military honors provided by the Logan County Veteran Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to Salesian Missions, 2 Le Fevres Ln, New Rochelle, NY 10801.

EICHHOLTZ DARING & SANFORD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER, BELLEFONTAINE is honored to serve the Bates family.

TFD

FAMILY COMPOSED OBITUARY