R. Mark Bartholomew

Roy Mark Bartholomew passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 30, 2022, in Mapleton, Utah. He lived 96 years.

Mark was born December 14, 1925, in Fayette, Utah to George Marston Jr and Charlotte Marie Berner Bartholomew, the youngest of ten children. At the age of four, he moved with his family to Springville, Utah where he attended school, fished Hobble Creek, worked on the family farm, was employed as a church custodian, and helped his mother make throw rugs.

The family moved in 1943 to a ranch in Spring Lake, where they grew hay, grain, berries, and fruit trees. Mark used a team of horses to plow the ground.

In 1947, Mark was called to the Southern States Mission, serving primarily in Georgia where his father had served previously.

He married Ruth Baird on June 21, 1951, in the Salt Lake Temple. Their honeymoon was spent harvesting peas. They made their homes in Payson, Orem, Provo, Springville, American Fork, and Mapleton. Together they had two daughters and three sons. His family was the treasure of his life.

Mark's entrepreneurial spirit led him in many directions. He developed land, built and remodeled homes, refurbished pallets and barrels, and designed fishing tackle. He always looked for ways to improve where he lived, repair broken things, and make tasks easier. He honored all his obligations.

From 1952 to 1986, he worked at US Steel (Geneva) in the open hearth area, operating the pump house and unloading fuel. Once a coworker complained that Mark slept sometimes during the graveyard shift. His supervisor replied to the coworker: "Mark gets more done sleeping than you will ever do awake." Mark took pride in helping his department function more efficiently.

In 1987, Mark and Ruth were called to the California Sacramento Mission. They served in Grass Valley and Forest Hill where they created new friendships, assisted and activated members, and helped the congregations grow.

Mark was a self-taught artist and spent hours experimenting with colors, brushes, and pallet knives to paint beautiful landscapes, framed and hung throughout his home. His creations reflected his appreciation for nature and the outdoors. He also had a great love for music and supported his children in developing their talents.

He took his family on dozens of vacations to national and state parks, canyons, sand dunes, reservoirs, or anywhere fish were swimming. Nights were spent in a tent or the camper he rebuilt. He always had a truck which was usually towing a trailer or boat. Mark loved to fish.

Visitors to the Bartholomew home often left with something Mark wanted to share. He was always giving, whether it be one of his oil paintings, a tool, a bowl of ice cream, or his time.

He would often bring home a stray animal or a "great find" left on the roadside. He was resourceful and always put things to good use.

Mark's life-long service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was varied. He served in the Sunday School and Elders quorum and as scoutmaster, stake missionary, high priests group leader, bishopric counselor, stake high counselor and home teacher. He coached deacons basketball, helped build chapels and Maple Dell scout camp. He served in the Mt Timpanogos Temple with Ruth as a temple ordinance worker. One assignment he particularly cherished was serving as an MIA instructor, where he helped less active men learn how to pray.

Mark loved the scriptures and expressed deep faith in and a testimony of Jesus Christ and in His Atonement. He wore himself out serving others.

Mark had an especially soft heart for the downtrodden and those in need, a trait he learned well from his dear mother. He helped many with projects they could not do themselves such as roofing and plumbing, but he rarely accepted payment.

He is survived by his wife Ruth of Mapleton; son-in-law Marc Barlow of Gilbert, Arizona; daughter Joan (Mark) McGann-Roth of Mapleton; three sons: Royce (Jan) of Fruit Heights, Ray (Ann) of Springville, and David (Lynette) of Springville; 24 grandchildren; and 52 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kristine Barlow; son-in-law, Michael McGann; his six sisters: Marie Larsen, Virga Page-Asay, Grace Roberts, Helen Crawford, Gertrude Smith, and Edna Gourley; and his three brothers: Lee, Ben, and Grant.

A funeral celebrating Mark's life will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at the meetinghouse located at 1580 North Main Street, in Mapleton. A visitation will be held at 11:00 AM, preceding the funeral. Interment will be at Springville Evergreen Cemetery.