Shirley Ann Hales

Shirley Ann MacArthur Hales passed away Sunday evening on May 4, 2025. She was 96 years old and had lived her life to the fullest. She was optimistic, cheerful, fun loving, hardworking, creative, kind, thoughtful and always excited for another day and the next project. She was also incredibly loving with a firm testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She joyfully shared her time and love with others. She was always willing to help out.

Shirley Ann and her twin sister Mary Lou were born in Oakland, California in 1928. Her dad, William Early MacArthur served in France in World War I and died from lung issues associated with his military service in the trenches. The twins were 3 years old at the time. Judith Dorothy Lillie MacArthur, their mother was left a widow with a seven-year-old son (Grant) and three-year-old twins. Judith’s parents moved in with them after they retired to help out. Grammy Lillie taught the twins to quilt and shared with them all the other needlework skills she enjoyed. Granddaddy Lillie loved wood working and carving. From them, the twins both acquired a love for making quilts and wood carving that continued throughout their lives.

Shirley Ann married Donald Caleb Hales on June 11, 1948 in Salt Lake City and they were sealed in the Manti Temple on June 10, 1949. They had four children, Steve (Anita) Ketchikan, Alaska; Rebecca Schmitt (Ralph), both deceased; Ann Gardner (Paul) Ephraim; Carolyn Rousculp (Paul) Ephraim.

Shirley Ann had two bachelor’s degrees, one from the University of Utah in elementary education and one from South Dakota State University in art. She was an artist and a teacher. She taught elementary school for a few years as well as seminary and/or institute in several of the places they lived before turning her focus to wood carving.

Don and Shirley Ann Hales lived in many places around the country including Utah, Idaho, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Alaska, Wisconsin, Virginia, New Mexico, Oregon and for the last 30 years in Ephraim, Utah. They made many friends throughout the country.

Don and Shirley Ann served in the Manti Temple before serving a mission in Michigan from 1998-99. Both have served faithfully throughout their lives as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

On June 11, 2025, Don and Shirley Ann would have celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary.

Shirley Ann is survived by her husband Don Hales, children, Steve Hales, Ann Gardner and Carolyn Rousculp, 18 of 19 grandchildren and 53 great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Monday May 12, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Ephraim Stake Center with a viewing from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. prior to services at the church. Interment in the Ephraim Park Cemetery.

To Watch Funeral Services Live, Click Here. The Live Zoom Link will Activate at 10:30 a.m. MST prior to services.