LaVee Bateman Kearney Barnhart was received in Heaven on May 19, 2022. She was 99 years old and had lived a remarkable life until the end.

LaVee was born on October 9, 1922 in Lehi, Utah to Bernell and Hazel Peck Bateman. They lived in Alpine for a couple of years before building a new home on the Lehi bench where she lived until she married. LaVee shared many choice memories of living close to her grandparents and other Peck cousins. She was also blessed to have Grandma Bateman and an aunt and uncle close to her age in Alpine. She and her brother LaVar loved going to Alpine to enjoy celebrations. In fact, she thought the only place they celebrated the 4th and 24th of July was in Alpine.

LaVee loved her brothers and was the only girl in the family. Her older brother was LaVar and then 3 younger brothers, Ralph, Kenneth, and Don. They have always been so good to their sister.

She enjoyed her school days and was popular with the boys. She started dating a cute dark curly-headed guy after high school. Of course, that amazing man was her husband, Michael Kearney. They were married on September 22, 1943 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they built a new home in Lehi where Mike raised chickens. She worked hard right alongside him and was a wonderful cook, homemaker, and seamstress.

Mike and LaVee were blessed with 2 daughters, Marilyn and Jeanne. Together their little family thrived and enjoyed many activities, sports, vacations, and special events together. Mike died on July 27, 1986 at the age of 65 and left a huge void in their family.

Then, 10 years later she renewed a friendship with Jay Barnhart that had recently lost his wife. They were married on March 9, 1996 and they enjoyed life with trips, temple callings, friends and their combined family. They had 12 good years together and his children were so kind and accepting of her. Jay passed away in 2011.

LaVee served many years in various callings in the church. She was in the primary and Relief Society presidency as well as serving in the Timpanogas Temple with Jay. She was a "pink lady" at the American Fork Hospital for 12 years and enjoyed many friends she met there. She was a member of the Olympian Club for 72 years. She had a passion for sports and loved all BYU games and the Jazz.

LaVee had been living at the Covington Senior Center for about 2 ½ years. She made many friends there. All the residents and workers said she was the sweetest little lady. She always dressed so up to date and was worried when her hair turned white during the pandemic. But we thought the new color was beautiful too.

On May 2 she fell and broke her hip. She tried to rehab but at 99 she was tired and ready to move on. She missed her husband, parents, brothers and most of her close friends, so the reunion must have been amazing.

Her family was her crowning jewels. Her family was blessed to have her so close for so many years. She is survived by her 2 daughters, Marilyn Devey (Richard) and Jeanne Zimerle. She had 8 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. Also survived by brother Don Bateman and sister-in-law Doreen Bateman.

She was proceeded in death by her husbands, Michael Kearney and Jay Barnhart. Also her brothers, LaVar (Lornell) Ralph, and Kenneth (Bonnie) her sister-in law May Bateman, her sister-in law Beverly (Phil) Eckersley, and brother in-law Kenneth Kearney (Ann and Donna).

Funeral services will be held in the Lehi 34th ward (1631 E. 900 North) at noon on Wednesday May 25. There will be a viewing on that same morning from 10:30 am to 11:30. Burial at Lehi Cemetery under the direction of Wing Mortuary.

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