June Spates, 86, Rock Island, IL passed away on January 2, 2023 at her home under the care of Hospice and her loved ones. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 AM with a memorial service following at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 13, 2023 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island.

Interment at Rock Island National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

June was born on January 12, 1936 to George and Fern (Bates) Davis in Mystic, IA. She spent her early childhood in Mystic and later moved to Rock Island where she graduated high school. After graduation, she traveled for a few years before returning to the area where she met her future husband, Charles Spates. The couple made their home in Milan and Andalusia where they raised their two sons. Together they owned and operated The Tropics, a restaurant and night club where June loved to sing and perform both solo and as part of a singing duo, "The Apple Sisters." Later in her career, she worked as an office manager at E & J Metals until her retirement.

June loved to cook and was remembered fondly for her biscuits and gravy and other comfort foods. She was also a talented seamstress who made clothes, curtains, and many other items for family and friends. Golfing, however, was her favorite hobby and she loved to play any time she could.

She is survived by her son Tim Spates and his wife Beverly Spates; Julie Heber; grandchildren, Derrick Simmons, Zachary Spates, and Charly Heber-Spates; sisters, Patty (Michael) Thornton and May (Bill) Herron; BEST friend, Jill Boyle; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles; son, Bo Spates; and sisters, Judy Voss and Kay Kuder.