11 Jul 1920 – 13 Oct 2013
Wife of Byrne Cleavy Fernelius
Jean Wheelwright Fernelius, 93, joined her sweetheart, Byrne, on October 13, 2013, her mother’s birthday. Jean was born July 11, 1920, in Ogden, Utah, to Albert Solomon Wheelwright and Mabel Maggie Ririe. She was sealed to Byrne Cleavy Fernelius in the Logan Temple on July 16, 1941.
Jean was in the first graduating class from the new Ogden High School and earned her teaching degree from Utah State University. She traveled with Byrne as he served in the U.S. Navy and he had teaching jobs in Idaho and Utah. They eventually settled in Chatsworth, California. Jean worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” in San Diego, taught elementary school, and retired as a librarian from the Los Angeles Unified School District. She earned many awards and held several positions in her professional career. Byrne and Jean spent many years as docents at the Gene Autry Museum. They traveled to Asia and Europe, and enjoyed spending time with good friends in the California Campers Association. She loved being a supportive wife, loving mother, and playful grandmother. Her grand collection of dolls and teddy bears is evidence of her ever-youthful spirit.
Jean is survived by her children, Neka (Steve) Roundy, Kaysville, UT, and Bart (Sandra), Simi Valley, CA; grandchildren, Rebecca Roundy (Luis Lopez), Erin Roundy (Eric Vogeler), Kathryn Roundy, Eric Fernelius (Aubrey), Nick Fernelius, Emma Fernelius, and MorganShoemaker; great-grandchildren Christina, Ashley, Rafael, Jonathan Byrne Lopez and Allison Jean Vogeler; and sisters, Ann (Al) Johnson, Roy, UT and DeNece (John) Checketts, Salt Lake City, UT.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Byrne, son Shane, brothers Don and Jay Wheelwright, grandson Elder Daniel Roundy, and granddaughter Amanda Shoemaker.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 21 at 10 a.m. in the Chapel at Oakwood Memorial Park, 22601 Lassen, Chatsworth, CA.
Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth, Los Angeles County, California
