David R. Bates, age 87, a resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream, Illinois, entered peacefully into the presence of his Savior on June 9, 2026. He was born August 13, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan, to Loring and Gertrude (Keiser) Bates. David was the youngest of three sons, and like his older brothers, he was a paperboy for the Detroit News, a Boy Scout, and a graduate of Redford High School and Michigan State University. He met his wife, Joyce (Morgan), while both were first-year teachers at Avondale High School in Rochester Hills, Michigan. In the early 1960s, he became an English teacher and speech team advisor at Fitzgerald High School in Warren, Michigan, where he taught for over 35 years until his retirement. He was known by his students, coworkers, family, and friends alike for his wisdom, kindness, and steadiness.

While David excelled in the classroom, he was even more devoted to his family, including son, Michael, and daughter, Kimberly. David and Joyce were their greatest cheerleaders, never missing one of their concerts or athletic events. The family enjoyed many visits to the summer home of David’s parents near Lake Superior and the home of Joyce’s parents near Lake Huron. For nearly forty years, Joyce and David were residents of Rochester Hills, Michigan. Faith was a central part of their life, and they were active members of St. John Lutheran Church, Rochester, where David served on the elder board and as an usher. Following his retirement, David was a member of the Rochester Lions Club, where he regularly volunteered to help raise funds for Leader Dogs for the Blind (which is based in Rochester Hills). He and Joyce enjoyed traveling and spending time with their grandchildren and friends. Until a month before his death, David was also an avid (and very fast) walker, generally covering several miles a day.

David and Joyce moved to Elgin, Illinois, in 2014 to be closer to Kim’s family before moving to Windsor Park in 2020. David and Joyce especially appreciated their friends in the Community for Christ adult community at Wheaton Bible Church.

David is survived by his children, Michael (Lorrie) Bates of Kettering, Ohio, and Kimberly (Eric) Miller of Carol Stream; and his grandchildren, Nate (Rachael) Miller, Tim (Sara) Bates, Luke Miller, and Lily Bates; brother Gerald (Darlynn) Bates; brother-in-law Jerry Morgan; and many nieces and nephews, including Kevin (Michele) Bates, Denise Flynn, Bryan (Janet) Bates, Shannon (Albert) Locke, Cindya (Roger) Hills, Antoinette (Ken) LaVere, Gary Morgan, Benjamin Morgan, Marissa (Rick) Binkowksi, and Scott Morgan.

David was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, in 2024; his parents, Loring and Gertrude Bates; and his brother and sister-in-law James and Annmarie Bates.

A visitation will be held Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 12 pm until the time of the funeral service at 1 pm at Wheaton Bible Church in West Chicago. Interment will be held privately. A link to a livestream of the service will be available here soon.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Wheaton Bible Church or Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.