Milton R. "Muley" Bates, age 97, a resident of Westmont, IL, died Thursday, June 6, 2013, at home. He was born September 13, 1915 in Groverton, IN.

Muley was a lifelong resident of Westmont. He worked at Western Electric at the Hawthorne Plant in Cicero, IL. He built his own home which he lived in his entire life. He lived on a farm as a child and as an adult loved his garden which he kept immaculate. He served in the Army during World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart earned during the Battle of Attu in the Aleutian Islands. It seems fitting that he died on D-Day. He enjoyed biking, golfing and traveling. In 1997 he joined the family on a trip to China to bring home his granddaughter, Marissa. Uncle Muley was a kid magnet and generations of children remember playing games in the backyard with him.

He is survived by his daughter, Sally Eileen (Tony) Gaigalas of Lisle, IL; two granddaughters, Marissa and Natalie Gaigalas; and his brother, Robert Bates of Wheaton, IL.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Hazel; his son, David Bates; his daughters, Joy Ann and Sally; his sisters, Dorothy Redfern, and Grace Bates; and his brother, Arthur Bates.

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 10, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of a funeral service to be held at 11:00 a.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton, IL. Interment will follow at Clarendon Hills Cemetery in Darien, IL.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be directed to Honor Flight Chicago, 938 West Montana Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614.