Robert Edward Bateman

Robert Edward Bateman, Bob, died January 3rd, 2019 in Federal Way, Washington.  Born August 31st, 1928, he was the third child of John and Gladys Bulmer Peters Bateman.  He was born and raised in Great     Falls and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1946.  After graduation Bob served in the US Army from 1949 to 1952, a Korean War Veteran.  He spent much of that time in Alaska.  When he returned to Great Falls, he worked as a carpenter until 1963 when he was diagnosed with cancer.  He survived but had to switch careers and went to work for Cascade County first as an assessor then in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office from which he retired in 1991 as the Clerk and Recorder.  After retirement, he did the books for VFW 1087’s bar.  Bob also worked for Big Sky Bus Lines as an aide for special needs students for 2 years.

Bob was very active in the VFW, American Legion, the Eagles and the Cooties.  He really enjoyed helping his fellow members and the community in these organizations.

In 1960, he married Laura Joyce Christensen at the Westside Methodist Church in Great Falls.  Born to them over the next few years were Robert Bateman II and Twila Kay to add to Joyce’s 4 daughters from her prior marriage.  Joyce died in 1984.  Several years later he married Elois Buell who died in 1994.  Bob had always lived in Great Falls until 2010 moved to Federal Way, WA to live with his son and daughter-in-law.

Bob was proceeded in death by both of his parents, his step-mother Grace Bateman, both of his wives, his half siblings Chester and Dorothy Peters, his siblings Ernest, John W., James, Eva and Betty Lou.  He is survived by his sister-in-law Mabel Bateman, his children Sheryl (John) House, Debra (Jack) Kronenbitter, Dawn (Dave) Hartzell, Susan Rosten, Rob (Hannah) Bateman, and Twila Bateman.  He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren plus several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to greet friends and family on Saturday, 1/12/2019, from 9 to 1130am at Croxford Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery Veteran section.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Edward Bateman, please visit our floral store.