Bernita Rose Kaehlert Bates

Mrs. Bernita Rose Kaehlert Bates, 72, of Blairsville, Ga., died Wednesday, August 2, 2006. Bernita passed away peacefully with her family by her side after a long illness.

Bernita was born on January 28, 1934 in Bluffs, Ill. She graduated from Brown County High School (IL) in 1952. She was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph Ernest Kaehlert and Matilda Nortrup Kaehlert; sisters, Lorene Bullard and Laverne Monroe; brother, Harry Nortrup Kaehlert who died an infant.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 52 years, Robert Eugene Bates; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Donna Bates of Atlanta, Ga., Rodney and Barbara Bates of Birmingham, Ala., and Robert and Donna Bates of Atlanta, Ga.; brother and sister-in-law, Donald A. and Joanne Kaehlert of Panama

City, Fla.; sisters and brotherin

law, Sharon and Ronald law, Sharon and Ronald Huntley of Lebanon, Ohio, and Karen Kaehlert of Cincinnati,

Ohio. She was a wonderful grandmother to her grandchildren, Jennifer,

Amanda, Laura, Allison,

and Phillip who loved her

dearly. She also leaves to

cherish her memory many nieces and nephews.

Services were held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Blue Ridge, Ga., on Friday, August 4, 2006 at 5 p.m. with Father Conway officiating. Interment followed in Mt. Sterling Catholic Cemetery in Mt. Sterling, Ill.

The Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of arrangements. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes. com.