Stefan Robert Bates, age 26, of Bryan, Ohio, died early Sunday, May 14, 2017, at his home in Bryan, losing his long battle with addiction. Stefan enjoyed listening to music, hanging with his friends and spending time with his family, especially his two nieces. He was active in Recovery Services in Bryan and had received his Gold Coin. He enjoyed joking around and was always making people laugh. He was attending Life Changing Realities Fellowship in Edgerton and most recently was employed at Wendy’s in Bryan as a cook.
Stefan Robert Bates was born on January 14, 1991, in Bryan, Ohio, the son of Dennis L. and Vera M. (Berenyi) Bates.
Survivors include his parents, Vera Bates and Dennis (Sharon) Bates, all of Bryan; one sister, Kayla Bates, of Bryan; two nieces, Alana Buehrer and LaVey Bates; two stepbrothers, Todd Hill, of Markleville, Indiana, and Chuck Mielke, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; two step-nieces and one step-nephew, Alexis and Austin Hill, and Mya Mielke; his grandmother, Ana Berenyi, of Mark Center, Ohio; his significant other, Amber Nichols, and her daughter, K.K. Deetz, of Bryan; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Stefan Berenyi and Robert and Mary Bates.
Visitation will be held in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, from 12:00-4:00 P.M. on Friday, May 19, 2017. Services celebrating Stefan’s life will follow at 4:00 P.M. in the funeral home with Pastor Rick Stiver officiating.
Memorials are requested to Recovery Services of Bryan.