Bonnie Lyon

Born Bonnie Lee Fernsler, daughter of John and Freda Fernsler, on July 16, 1947 in Camden, New Jersey, this beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed into eternity on February 12, 2025 in Alpine, Utah.

Bonnie grew up in New Jersey and Florida, graduating from Fletcher High School in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. She received her Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, and pursued advanced studies in the fields of psychology and therapy in California. As "Doctor Bonnie," she enjoyed a successful career as a counselor, therapist, inspirational speaker, and author. She employed her natural gifts of empathy and discernment, along with her training, to aid and comfort many troubled clients. She also served well in many church callings, including Relief Society President. She loved to cook and bake, and to celebrate holidays and birthdays. She made her home a warm and welcoming place to be. For a time, her home-baked, made-from-scratch (including grinding the wheat) whole wheat bread became well-known and served as a side-job, being sold in a health-food store and elsewhere in the community.

In 1975, she married Paul Lyon in the Salt Lake Temple, and they brought up their three sons in Paul's home state of California-George Lyon, currently of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Peter (Katrina) Lyon of Navarre, Florida, and Nick ('Cat') Lyon, of Alpine, Utah, each of whom she loved very dearly, along with her eight grandchildren. She is also survived by her husband, Paul, of Alpine, Utah; her beloved sister Dee Jacobson of Atlanta, Georgia, and family; brother John Fernsler of Florida, and family; and brother Chris Fernsler, of Talladega, Alabama.

Bonnie's many gifts and accomplishments are even more remarkable due to the fact that from birth, she suffered from Retinitis Pigmentosa, which gradually deprived her of her sight. She learned early in life to depend upon the help of her Savior, Jesus Christ, whom she loved with all her heart, and whom she credited with saving her life, protecting her from danger, and many times, literally leading her home when she became lost or disoriented and couldn't find her way. Later, she was also blessed to have several wonderful guide dogs, who gave her the confidence to go out on her own. Three of those "good boys" deserve special mention-Gunner, Maverick, and Pendleton.

Bonnie was always thinking of others and their needs, and in both her counseling and personal relationships, her intuitive listening skills and sense of discernment made it so that, according to Paul, "she could often hear what the rest of us couldn't see." All who know her rejoice that her sight and health are restored and that she is, once again, safely home-but for those of us left behind, she will be sorely missed.

Services will be held on Saturday, February 15, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 100 East 100 North, Alpine, Utah, with a viewing beginning at 9:45 a.m. and the funeral at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at American Fork City Cemetery.

Please click the link below to watch the funeral services live. 

https://zoom.us/j/91386819427