Sheela Fernando

Sheela Rajan Fernando, 60, of Round Lake Beach, Illinois, was received into the arms of our Heavenly Father and into the blessed rest of everlasting peace on July 4, 2026, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Sheela was born on April 23, 1966, to Azhagappan Sankar and Amelia Azhagappan in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India. She married Rajan Muthiah Fernando on December 12, 1990. They were married for 36 years. They had two children, Anthony Fernando and Vijayamary Ranney.

Sheela was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Round Lake, Illinois. A lifelong Catholic with a deep love for her faith, Sheela had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and prayed for her loved ones in Catholic churches wherever she went. She was devoted to the First Saturday Devotion and was graced with her death occurring on the First Saturday of July.

Sheela had a large heart and special love for her vocation as mother. She was also a wonderful homemaker and always kept her family members’ bellies full. Her favorite pastimes were laughing with her family and friends and learning new recipes. She also loved to serve her community by volunteering at local nursing homes. And, although allergic to many, Sheela loved animals deeply – including Bruce (her son’s cat) and Benedict (her daughter’s dog).

Sheela is survived by her husband, Rajan Fernando; children, Anthony Fernando and Vijayamary Ranney (Robert); grandchildren, Gemma Ranney, Pia Ranney, Francis Ranney, and one unborn grandson; parents; Azhagappan Sankar and Amelia Azhagappan; and sister, Sheeba Weslin (Weslin).

Sheela graduated with a master’s degree in literature from Women’s college Trivandrum and worked as a skilled quality assurance engineer for Abbott Laboratories for decades.

The Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm (E.S.T.) on Monday, July 13, 2026, at Schoppenhorst, Underwood & Brooks Funeral Home (4895 N. Preston Highway, Shepherdsville, KY 40165). There will be a special blessing by Father Adam Carrico at 6:00 pm and live music by Mary Beth Dawson starting at 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm.

The Requiem Funeral Mass, celebrated by Father Adam Carrico, will be held at 10:00 am (E.S.T) on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church (224 Abbott Street, Shepherdsville, KY 40165). The committal ceremony will follow at Brookland Cemetery (4897 N. Preston Highway, Shepherdsville, KY 40165).

Pallbearers will be Rajan Muthiah Fernando, Anthony Rajan Fernando, Jeno Muthiah, Robert Ranney, Gails Gallet, and Pranesh Sorimuthu.

In lieu of flowers, memorials or donations may be made to Little Way Pregnancy Resource Center.

May you live in peace this day, may your home be with God in Zion, with Mary, the virgin Mother of God, with Joseph, and with all the angels and saints.