Ryal Lane Wheeler

Ryal Lane Wheeler was born on September 12, 1955, at the Rigby Maternity Home in Rigby, Idaho. He was raised in Ririe, Idaho, by Searl and Melva Wheeler, alongside his five sisters and one brother. Born with clubbed feet, Ryal spent much of his childhood in hospitals. Despite these challenges, he learned the value of hard work by working alongside his father as he grew.

Ryal graduated from Ririe High School and later earned an Electronics Certificate from Ricks College. In November 1976, he was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the California Anaheim Mission. After two faithful years, he returned home—but with the November cold looming over Idaho, he quickly headed back to the sunny warmth of California.

Exactly one year later, he reluctantly attended a Young Single Adult dance—where destiny intervened. There, he met the love of his life and eternal companion, Coraline (Cory) Jeanne Fackrell. They began dating a few months later and were engaged on January 24, 1980 (Cory’s birthday). On May 16, 1980, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Ryal and Cory settled into married life, and just three days before their first wedding anniversary, they welcomed their first child, Andrew Thomas Wheeler. Over the next 10 years, Andrew was joined by Christopher Lee, Brenda Marie, Kevin Brian, and Evelyn Jeanne. Ryal worked for the Orange County Sanitation District, a job that enabled him to provide a comfortable life while enjoying ample time with his growing family.

He loved visiting nearby amusement parks and sharing the history and beauty of the United States with his children. Road trips were a cherished tradition, sometimes lasting several weeks. Ryal had a special talent for turning setbacks into adventures—like transforming a broken-down van into an afternoon of flying foam airplanes in a meadow or launching fireworks into a river. He was known for chasing billboards to quirky roadside attractions like the Big Well, Pioneer Village, and Dorothy’s House.

In 1985, Ryal and Cory purchased a home in Midway City, California, where they raised their children and built strong ties within their church and community. Ryal served faithfully in numerous official roles including: PTA President, Band Booster President, and President of the Midway City Chamber of Commerce. He also volunteered extensively in unofficial roles.  He was always there to help people move, volunteer as a tour guide at the Orange County Sanitation District, read at the elementary school as a Rolling Reader, provide transportation as a bus driver for the Midway City Senior Center, and feed people as a Meals on Wheels deliverer. In his church, he joyfully served in many callings, including as an 11-year-old Scout Master, men’s group leader, and nursery leader. He cherished the many meaningful relationships formed through service.

After 33 years of public service, Ryal retired from the Orange County Sanitation District in 2012, but his dedication to serving others never stopped. In retirement, he worked as a handyman for a senior housing complex, assisted refugees in preparing for new homes, provided nighttime care to ailing friends, and built props for church fundraisers and activities. He also embarked on a second mission—this time with Cory—where they helped repair and build homes in Kansas and Oklahoma, and later served in the Newport Beach Temple.

In 2022, Ryal and Cory took the trip of a lifetime, visiting Israel, Jordan, Egypt, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. A highlight of the journey was fulfilling his lifelong dream of seeing Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. He seized the moment with a thrilling microlight ride over the breathtaking falls.

Though Ryal found great joy in being a father, being a grandfather was the true highlight of his life. He is the proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren: Jacob, Logan, Chelsey, Adriana, Ronan, Easton, Courtney, David, Olivia, Abigail, Canaan, Elora, Dixon, and Daisy. Ryal enthusiastically supported their various activities, frequently cheering them on from the sidelines. He was a fun, playful grandpa—often found in silly costumes, having tea parties, reading stories, or playing games.

Ryal passed away at the age of 69 on May 16, 2025, at his home. He is survived by his beloved wife, Coraline; his children and their spouses, Andrew (Becky), Chris (Sherilyn), Brenda (Bryan), Kevin (Jennifer), and Evelyn (Jared); his 14 grandchildren; his brother Lamar; and his sisters Renee, Lana, and Loa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Searl and Melva, and his sisters Ida and Karen.

Ryal will be laid to rest at the Ririe Shelton Cemetery in Ririe, Idaho, on May 31, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.. A memorial service will be held in Westminster, California, on June 7, 2025.

Ryal’s legacy is one of unwavering service, boundless love, and unshakable joy. His laughter, kindness, and selfless acts touched countless lives, and his example will continue to inspire generations to come.