Roger Bateman

ROGER THOMAS BATEMAN Roger Thomas Bateman, seventy-seven, died peacefully in his home on February 5, 2008, after dealing with the effects of A.L.S. for about two years. Roger was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin to Reah and Howard Bateman on January 9, 1931. He spent his childhood in La Crosse and Denver, Colorado before moving with his family to Kansas City, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Kenneth and Paul Bateman, his father-in-law, George Shaffer and sister-in-law, Mickie Shaffer. In the early 1960's, Roger spent four years as a volunteer at the world headquarters of Jehovah's Witness in New York. There he worked full-time at helping print and pack Bibles and Bible-based literature. He also worked part-time as an auto mechanic while there in the maintenance department. Returning to Kansas City he met Patti Shaffer and they eventually married on April 4, 1964. Roger and Patti were assigned to a local missionary service in Topeka, Kansas and Holton, Kansas. They were able to start and organize a small congregation in Holton, Kansas. They conducted many Bible Study classes and formed a close bond with the friends there. In 1970 they moved back to the Camdenton area with a couple of side trips to Warsaw, Missouri and Hobbs, New Mexico, where they also held many home Bible studies. Roger worked as a welder much of his life. In his later years he especially enjoyed his job at the local Wal-Mart and appreciated the friendly, caring workmates there. Roger's favorite things to do included reading, bird-watching - and especially fishing. He and his wife both enjoyed fishing and swimming in the lake. Roger even enjoyed cleaning the fish. He found great contentment in finding a shady spot, lining his fish all neatly in a row and skillfully filleting each one so carefully that each filet half-side had a tail - something in which he took great pride. Roger was easy going and loved to talk. He is survived by his wife of the home; mother-in-law, Ruth Shaffer; brother and sister-in-law, John and Vickie Shaffer; sister-in-law, Virginia Bateman; and many nieces and nephews. A special thanks to Lake Ozark Area Home Health and Hospice as well as Sue Rowe, with CMAAA for all of their quick response and excellent care, including our practical needs and personal needs. We also dearly appreciate the help of loving friends and family in so many ways-materially and spiritually in our local congregation of Jehovah Witnesses. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 9, 2008 in Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1:00 till time of service. Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton.