Ilene Hatch

Ilene Hatch passed away in Knoxville, Tennessee on August 17, 2026, one week and one day after her 84th birthday. She was born in Bear River City, Utah to Newell and Rula Checketts. She grew up in Bear River on the family dairy farm. She was the second oldest of four children. She was preceded in death by her parents and older brother Karl. She is survived by her two brothers, Preston and Rex, of Utah. After graduating high school in Utah, Ilene moved to Mesa, AZ and worked as a secretary for a life insurance agency. In Arizona she met Sheridan Hatch, and they were sealed in the Mesa, AZ Temple in November of 1961. Ilene played the accordion when she was younger and played the piano for many years. She had a beautiful singing voice and enjoyed singing in choirs at church. She loved music and would often play records of her favorite musicals and works by Henry Mancini. She loved to sew and made many clothes for her children when they were younger and sewed quilts. She lived a life of service and held many church positions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She volunteered for many years helping young men track progress to earn their Eagle Scout award. Ilene loved gardening and grew a backyard garden for many years. She dedicated her life to caring for her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sheridan, and son, Shane. She is survived by her children, Laine (Phil), Ruth, Jenny (Jacob), Troy and Tonya (Saul), 18 grandchildren and 8 great -grandchldren. Ilene always said she preferred to receive flowers during her lifetime and not wait until her funeral. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to research for Parkinson’s and Lewey Body Dementia. Viewing will be August 28, 2026 from 6-8 p.m. at Falconer Funeral Home in Gilbert, Arizona. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. August 29, 2026 at the Catalina Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1520 S. Catalina St., Gilbert, AZ. Interment will be at Mesa City Cemetery.