June Alice Wheeland

On Monday, February 10, 2025, June Alice Wheeland, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away at the age of 92 peacefully surrounded by her children. 

June leaves behind her four children, David Wheeland, Debbie (JD) Jeans, Jayme (Dan) Gray and Johnny (Andrea) Wheeland; five grandchildren, Blake, Heather, Carey (Garrett), Jillian and Katie (Josh), and three great-granddaughters, Emma, Aria and Layla. 

June Alberti, the youngest of six siblings, was born to Peter and Celia Alberti in Patterson, California on June 11, 1932. She graduated from Patterson Unified High School in 1950. Later that year, she married the love of her life, Gene. They celebrated their 68th anniversary shortly before Gene’s passing in 2018.  

As a steady presence in the Patterson community, June was known for her cheerful demeanor and vigor. She enjoyed working at Patterson school cafeterias for almost 40 years–but it wasn’t only the students who enjoyed baked treats from June. She was known for her Christmas candy and sweets she made for close friends and family every year. June also loved gardening and socializing with friends.  

With Gene by her side, June wouldn’t miss one of her children’s or grandchildren’s sports games, and could be heard above the crowd cheering loudly (and sometimes heckling an umpire or referee). As Gene once said about the day he met her, “she was hard to miss.”

Between sporting events, golfing, camping and road trips, Gene and June led active lives with their four kids. June never slowed down with her grandchildren, either. She played beach volleyball on Lake Tahoe and Santa Cruz trips, cooked every holiday meal into her nineties, and was always ready to celebrate milestones or stop by a party to join the fun. Memories of June’s love of her family and her joy when surrounded by friends will always be cherished. 

Her laughter and smile will not soon be forgotten by all who knew and loved her. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, March 10th at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Patterson, with a reception to follow.

Remembrances can be made to the Patterson Fire Department or online at pattersongivesback.com.