BATES, DARLENE "DAR" MARIE, age 66, of Mt. Pleasant passed away unexpectedly Sunday, April 24, 2016, at MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland.

Funeral Services for Dar will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Saturday, April 30, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Doyle Perry officiating. A Luncheon will follow in at the Faith Indian Church of the Nazarene. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 29, 2016, from 6 to 8 p.m. Visitation will continue the day of the service from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.

Dar was born on November 27, 1949 in Midland, the daughter of Glenn and Phyllis (Mercier) Owen. She married Edward Bates on November 13, 1970 in Sanford, MI. Dar was a devoted wife, loving mother, and extraordinary grandmother. She volunteered at the Mt. Pleasant Food Pantry. Dar was an avid bowler and enjoyed fishing, traveling, and loved spending time with her family and friends.

Darlene is survived by her husband of 45 years, Edward; children, Lisa (Duane) Griffith, Darcy (Matt) Taylor, and Edward (Crystal) Bates, III; grandchildren, Dominick, Jacob, Briana, Dillian, Matthew, Tiffany, Jessee, Nathan, Ashton, and Nova; 13 very loved great-grandchildren; siblings, Gail (Dale) Dutcher, Linda (Robert) Nohel, and Terri (Mark) Lodes; brothers-in-law, Robert Dutcher and Thomas Nagel; and many extended family members.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Julia Dutcher; and nephew, Rex Dutcher.