BOUNTIFUL--Surrounded by his loving family, John Henry Wernli was called home by his Heavenly Father on December 21, 1998 in Salt Lake City following a short illness.
He was born December 1, 1946 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to John Henry and Billie Jean Jackson Wernli. He married his high school sweetheart Kristie Mae Olson, on August 10, 1968 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and their family was sealed for time and all eternity on November 7, 1987 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
John was a great outdoors enthusiast: shooting his guns and teaching others from his vast gun knowledge, hunting, camping, fishing, riding four wheelers, anything that involved being outside and having fun with his family. John was a great contributor to scouting and was actively involved for over 10 years in all levels of the program. He was an active member of the LDS church, recently having been called as financial clerk in the Young Adult ward, a High Priest Group member, a faithful home teacher and a primary teacher.
A man for all seasons and a great friend to all who knew him, to his many friends and family members his wry sense of humor will be sorely missed. Beneath his gruff exterior held a gentle, loving heart who held his wife and children as number one in his life. He will be affectionately remembered by his family for his work ethic, keen mechanical abilities, integrity, generosity and great strength.
John was a journeyman Pipefitter and Steamfitter, a member of Local 19 for 30 years, he was employed at and co-owner of Wernli Refrigeration for 35 years. He served in the Army 419th Transportation Division reserves for six years.
He is survived by his wife, Kristie, son Aaron John and daughter Jonell Page (Michael) and grandson Evan Michael Page; mother Billie Jean Wernli; brothers: Mike, David, Bill, Rob and Ron; sisters: Pat Christensen and Shawn Smith and all their spouses, many loving in-laws and nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his father John and nephew Curtis Wernli.
Funeral services will be at 12 noon, Monday, December 28, 1998 at the Bountiful 30th Ward Chapel, 2200 South 650 East, Bountiful, Utah. Friends may call Sunday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main and again Monday morning from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the church. Interment-Lakeview Memorial Estates, 1640 East Lakeview Drive, Bountiful. Published in the Deseret News on Saturday, Dec. 26 1998
