David Allen Bates, 36, Stendal
David Allen Bates, 36, of Stendal, passed away April 23, 2026, in Stendal.
He was born August 4, 1989, to David Lee Johnson and Shonna (Bates) Strotman in New Albany.
David graduated from Pike Central High School in 2008. He went on to join the United States Marine Corps, serving for three years. He worked for OFS in Huntingburg as a forklift operator.
David loved his children, spending time with them and playing NBA 2K on the Xbox. He enjoyed working out, camping, fishing, and was a huge Kentucky basketball fan. David was the life of the party, always making his presence felt. He kept a strict diet and ate healthy, when it was his birthday he preferred a watermelon over a birthday cake. Ever the competitor, David proudly took 2nd place in the 2008 Iron Man Regional Competition.
David was a ‘gear head’, constantly working on anything motorized, but especially cars and taught others as well. He was also a ‘bass head’ who enjoyed his loud music.
David loved his dogs and enjoyed breeding pit bulls, he co-owned Bone Creek Kennels.
Like many, David fought addiction, and he has been proudly sober since September 11, 2023. David was a member of the Redemption Church in Jasper, IN, and the Fit to Rise CrossFit Gym. He was the assistant youth wrestling coach at Southridge in Huntingburg. He also volunteered for Night to Shine.
David is survived by his father, David Johnson of New Albany; mother, Shonna (Bates) Strotman; sons, Owen Wayne Redecker Bates, JaKobe Allen Bates; daughter, Anastasia Shea Bates; fiancé, Kirbi McCandless of Stendal; brother, Travis Johnson of Georgetown, IN; sisters, Vikki Headley of Washington, IN, Lindley Johnson, and Ashley Harris of Georgetown, IN; and many extended family members.
A visitation will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT at Harris Funeral Home in Petersburg. A funeral service will take place at 5:00 p.m. EDT. There will be no burial as David will be cremated.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in David’s memory be made payable to Fit2Rise CrossFit Gym and mailed to 2704 Newton St, Jasper, IN 47546.
Harris Funeral Home is entrusted with care.
