Leroy A. "Shorty" Bates, 75, of Yorkville, formerly of Bethany, Ill., died Friday, Oct. 28, 2011 in his home. Memorial servies will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, Ill. Visitation will be held one hour before the services at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, Inurnment will be in Camfield Cemetery, Sullivan. Leroy was born Dec. 27, 1935, in Cowden, the son of Ralph Moll and Marie (Beck) Bates. He married Laurenda N. Rieser on Sept. 11, 1993. He was a member of the Bethany Masonic Lodge 884 for 50 years, and he was a member of the Cement Finishers Local 103, Decatur. He is survived by his wife, Laurenda; sons, Rob (Denise) Bates of Sullivan, Randy Bates of Decatur; daughter, Jody (Mitch) Cuffle of Sullivan; step-daughters, Rennell Brumel of Yorkville, Rene Rischl of Oswego and Vickie (Jon) Drendell of Naperville; sister, Betty I. Miller of Effingham; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; six step-grand-children; and one step-greatchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, Forrest Banning; brothers, Gene and Junior; sisters, Rosemary, Shirley and Nancy. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com.