Lee Whittemore Batesole

Lee Whittemore Batesole, 67, of Hamilton, passed away at home on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, surrounded by his family.

He was born on March 30, 1959, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Harold Ralph and Betsey (Whittemore) Batesole.

Lee married Anita Inlow on June 4, 2011, in Fort Wayne. She survives in Hamilton.

Lee worked for Vulcraft in St. Joe, Indiana, for 32 years before retiring in 2016. He was a member of Fairview Missionary Church in Angola, where he participated in the men's Bible study group. Lee enjoyed an active lifestyle and loved playing pickleball and golf, water skiing and snow skiing, boating, and traveling. Most of all, he cherished spending time with his family.

Some people are content blending into the crowd. Lee was never one of them.

A devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, and loyal friend, Lee lived life on his own terms. He never cared much for ordinary. In fact, if there was a unique way to do something, wear something, fix something, or celebrate something, he would find it. He brought color, personality, and a little bit of surprise wherever he went.

Whether it was his love of flamingos, his unforgettable outfits, or his determination to fix things his own way, Lee embraced being different. His solutions were not always conventional, and they were not always what anyone else would have chosen, but they were uniquely his. Somehow, they usually got the job done. He had a gift for seeing possibilities where others saw problems and never hesitated to lend a helping hand.

Competition was not just something he enjoyed—it was part of who he was. He loved games, challenges, and any opportunity to bring people together for a little friendly rivalry. He believed life was meant to be lived, not watched from the sidelines. And whenever he came out on top, everyone knew what was coming next: a triumphant rendition of “We Are the Champions,” sung with such enthusiasm that it was impossible not to laugh along with him.

The lake was one of his favorite places, where he could relax, laugh with friends, and create memories that would last a lifetime. He cherished time spent with those he loved and had a remarkable ability to make even ordinary moments feel special.

Of all the roles he played, being a grandfather was among his most treasured. He rarely missed an opportunity to watch his grandchildren play sports, cheering them on from the stands with pride and excitement. Their victories were his victories, and their happiness brought him immeasurable joy.

To know Lee was to know someone who refused to fit into a mold. He taught those around him that life is richer when you embrace what makes you different, that memories are made when you are willing to stand out, and that being yourself is far more important than being ordinary.

His family and friends will remember not only what he did, but who he was: a truly unique soul, impossible to replace and impossible to forget. The world feels a little less colorful without him, but the stories, laughter, and love he leaves behind will continue to brighten the lives of everyone who knew him.

There will never be another quite like him—and he would not have wanted it any other way.

Survivors include his wife, Anita Batesole of Hamilton; three sons and their spouses, Brad and Jen Batesole of Fort Wayne, Jeff and Lauren Batesole of Fort Wayne, and Joel and Julie Schroeder of Fort Wayne; two daughters, Lindsay Millikan of New Castle, Indiana, and Tiffany Schroeder of Auburn; his mother, Betsey Batesole of Auburn; ten grandchildren, Titus, Abby, Chloe, Hanna, Kaylee, Cara, Mackenzie, Adalyn, Ryker, and Ryleigh; a brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Patty Batesole of Indianapolis; a sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Ed Hendrickson of Panama City Beach, Florida; and two sisters-in-law, Robin Inlow of Fort Wayne and Judy Seiwert of Tucson, Arizona.

Lee was preceded in death by his father, Harold Ralph Batesole.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made in Lee’s memory to the Lake James Christian Assembly Scholarship Fund, 1880 West 275 North, Angola, Indiana 46703, or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10306.

Condolences may be sent to the family at fellerandclark.com and on the Feller and Clark Funeral Home Facebook page.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Feller and Clark Funeral Home in Auburn.

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