Ione Bates

Ione C. Bates, 80, of Rigby, died Tuesday, March 03, 2009. She was born January 22, 1929, in Thomas, Idaho, to William Homer Carter and Violet Marie England Carter. She attended Wilson Grade School, Thomas High School and Ricks College. She was a cheerleader throughout high school and for 2 years at Ricks College. She sang with the Ricks College Choir and was on the Epsilon Sigma Alfa Tumbling Team. On September 29, 1950, she married Elwood Floyd Bates in Thomas, Idaho. She was a grade school teacher in Riverside, Idaho, teaching art, music, and P.E. Ione was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a Sunday School Teacher, Den Mother, and Visiting Teacher. She enjoyed arts and crafts, camping, fishing, water skiing, snow skiing. She is survived by her husband, Elwood Bates, of Rigby, sons, Kelly C. Bates of Idaho Falls, Steve (Chris) Carter Bates of Glendale, AZ, Brent Carter Bates, of Idaho Falls, sisters, Vaudis (Lowel) Dance, of Blackfoot, Carlee Rasmussen, of Provo, UT, Mona Vee Carter, Sonia (Perry) Merrill, both of Blackfoot, brothers, Don Carol (Gloria) Carter, and Spence (Marsha) Carter, both of Pingree, 7 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. She was preceded by her parents, and one brother. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2009, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main St, Rigby. The family will visit with friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, and from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, both at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery, under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.