Jay and Sue Bates, Bourbon, will mark their 40th wedding anniversary Feb. 14, 2009. Jay Bates and Sue Haenes eloped on Valentine's Day in 1969.
The couple own and operate Bates Corporation in Bourbon. She is a retired phlebotomist with the South Bend Medical Foundation. He is a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge and Sue a 50-year member of Eastern Star. Both are members of the First United Methodist Church of Bourbon.
The couple have twin daughters, Patricia Ann (and spouse Brian) Kitch and Teresa Lynn (and spouse Kenny) Barnhart, all of Bourbon. They have four grandchildren.
The couple will celebrate the anniversary with family.
