August 7, 1925 - March 22, 2023
Obituary
Joseph Alexander Bata Jr., 97, of Niles, MI, passed away peacefully on March 22nd at Cass County Medical Care Facility with his caretakers by his side.
Joe was born in South Bend, IN and attended Gitchell School, Niles, MI. He was baptized at Christ the King Church in South Bend, IN.
He served in the Navy during World War II. He was on the Minesweeper “The U.S.S. Strive” and saw action in the North and South Pacific.
Joe worked at both French Paper in Niles and Watervliet Paper in Watervliet.
He was an avid Milk Bottle collector and Fruit Jar Collector. He loved going to flea markets, digging for milk bottles especially with his son, Paul. He also loved to go to the Four Winds Casino in Dowagiac.
He married Nora Ann Bata and had one son and three daughters. He married Barbara Freas and had 2 stepchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Bata; children, Paul (Joanne) Bata, Sue (Kevin) House, Mary (Scott) Krug; stepchildren, Beth (Bill) Hutter, Skip (Amy) Freas; and 17 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Nora, and daughter, Judy Brady.
The family of Joe would like to thank all the staff at Cass County Medical Care Facility for all the wonderful care he received and the kindness shown to him on a daily basis. We’d like to thank Steve Jacko especially for always treating him like a friend. He was well looked after by nurses, Jubilant, Kim, and also Linda, and Haley, who were with him as he was dying. They made his passing easier and we are especially grateful to them.
According to Joe’s wishes, he has been cremated and a family service will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Joe to Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St., Niles, MI 49120 or No Kid Hungry, payable to Share Our Strength, PO Box 715475, Philadelphia, PA 19171-5475. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.