Russell Bates, 77, of Champion, passed away Monday, November 27, 2017 at 10:40 p.m. at Vista Center at the Ridge under the comforting care of hospice.

Russell was born August 25, 1940 in Warren, the son of the late Raymond and Mildred Richards Bates and was a lifelong area resident.

A 1958 graduate of Southeast High School, Russ retired after 37 years as a laborer with Packard Electric.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, tinkering in the shed, coaching youth baseball and loved spending time with his family.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Russ is survived by his wife the former Cynthia A. Sigler whom he married on May 28, 1960; a son Dr. Daniel E. (Kimberly) Bates of Cache, Oklahoma; a daughter Deborah L. (Robert) Burn of Champion; a brother Raymond (Janice) Bates of Newton Falls; a sister Ruth (Scott) Nickels of Ravenna; and four grandchildren Adrian, Alexandra and Madeline Bates and Joshua Vesey.

Family will receive friends on Friday, December 1, 2017 from 10:30 a.m. until the hour of service at Believers Church, 2577 Schenley Ave NE, Warren, Ohio 44483.

A Memorial Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Friday in the church with Pastor Bill Carter presiding.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions take the form of donations in Russ's name to Believers Church or to Hospice of the Valley 5000 E. Market St., Suite 19, Warren, OH 44484.

Caring and Professional Arrangements for the Bates family are under the direction of the Sinchak & Kaszowski Funeral Home, 330-392-5691.

Family and Friends may visit www.sinchakkaszowski.com to view this tribute and share condolences to the Bates family.