Arlene Shepherd Bateman

Bateman, Arlene Shepherd
A loving wife and mother, died peacefully on April 17. She was 84, born on Feb.13, 1927, in Rexburg, Idaho, to Rulon and Genevieve Shepherd. She moved to Mesa in 1937, and throughout her life served the communities she loved. She graduated from Mesa High School in 1934, where she served as Student Body Vice President. She earned a BA at BYU, where she met her husband, Maurice B. Bateman, who preceded her in death on March 24, 2011. They were happily married for 63 years. She was a long-time teacher with the Mesa Public Schools, and retired as an English teacher at Westwood High School in 1983. Arlene was a life-long learner with an intense curiosity, and was active in many organizations such Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and Simada Literary Group. Long active in the arts, she produced, directed and acted in many local theatre productions. For many years, she and her husband produced the popular Easter pageant at the Mesa LDS Temple. She was named Mesa's Artist of the Year in 1969, and Mesa's Outstanding Citizen in 1981. She was honored with an Emeritus Award from BYU in 2002. Arlene was an avid traveler, and with Maury explored the world. A lifelong member of the LDS Church, she held many leadership positions, and with her husband served two missions in South Africa. Arlene is survived by her children, Kathryn Nunes (Robert); Craig Martin (deceased); Paul Tracey; Maren Showkeir (Jamie); Julianne Kravetz (David); and Laura Boelter (Richard). She has 24 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by her brothers Kenneth Shepherd (Charlotte); and Douglas Shepherd (Carolee). She was preceded in death by her brother, David R. Shepherd. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Mesa LDS 25th Ward chapel, 848 N. Westwood. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. at Meldrum Mortuary, 52 N. McDonald, and one hour prior to the service at the ward building. Contributions can be made to the Rulon T. Shepherd scholarship fund or Hospice of the Valley.