Rodney J. Bates

   Rodney J. Bates, 83, of Whiting died Saturday at the Community Medical Center in Toms River.
   Born in Trenton, he had resided in the area for many years before moving to Whiting. He was a mechanical engineer for the Hydrocarbon Research Company in Trenton and also for the State of New Jersey.
   He was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Harbourton.
   Son of the late Leon W. and Grace Rake Bates, he is survived by his wife, Anna-Beth Cronquist Bates; two daughters and sons-in-law, Amy and Robert VanHise of Ewing and Carla and Gregory Fiske of Tinton Falls; a son, Adam Bates of Boise, Idaho; four grandchildren, Nate, Abby and Jeremy Fiske and Elisabeth VanHise.
   A memorial service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 1608 Harbourton-Rocktown Road, Lambertville, with the Rev. Stephen Gewecke, pastor, officiating.
   Burial will be private in the Harbourton Cemetery.
   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mercer Christian Academy, for scholarship use, 11 Buttonwood Drive, Ewing, 08638.
   Arrangements are by the Wilson-Apple Funeral Home, Pennington Circle.
   For further information or to send a condolence, visit www.wilsonapple.com.