After 68 years of faithful and devoted marriage, Melvin and Shirley Jensen returned home to their Heavenly Father on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. True to their desire to never be apart, Shirley, age 90, peacefully passed away early that morning, and just six hours later, Melvin, age 91, followed her through the veil. Their reunion in the presence of loved ones who have gone before is a sweet testimony of their eternal companionship.

Melvin Laval Jensen was born on February 2, 1934, in Glendale California to Glenn Christensen Jensen and Marjorie Helen Potts. Shirley Jean Chatterton was born on August 14,1935, in Merced, California to Orvill Edmund Chatterton and Elfrieda Johndine Ellefsen.

Melvin grew up in Southern California and attended Inglewood High School. Shirley lived in Utah and Idaho before moving back to California and attending Leuzinger High School. Shirley had a wonderful best friend when they moved to Southern California, Virginia Jensen who had an older brother, Melvin. As time went on, Melvin and Shirley dated, and Melvin gave Shirley a ring before he left on his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the North Central States. Shirley sent him an invitation to their wedding while he was still on his mission. Melvin married Shirley on November 9, 1956, in the Los Angeles LDS Temple. While on their honeymoon, Melvin received his notice for the draft. When they returned to their small apartment in El Segundo, Melvin left for the Army in Honolulu Hawaii. Shirley soon joined him. They enjoyed their time in Hawaii and welcomed their first daughter, Lynette. After Melvin was discharged from the Army, the family moved to Inglewood California. While living in Inglewood, they welcomed three more children, Steven, Debra and Michael. Melvin and Shirley purchased their dream home in El Segundo in 1965. In that home, they welcomed two more children, Sharon and Kathleen. They lived in El Segundo for 36 years.

Melvin faithfully supported his family through a career in banking, beginning as a teller and working his way up to assistant vice president. Shirley devoted herself to creating a loving home and nurturing their children, while also contributing financially through babysitting, blessing the lives of the many children she cared for along the way.

Melvin and Shirley were lifelong members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holding many callings throughout their lives.

Melvin and Shirley retired to St. George, Utah in 2001. They enjoyed their time in St. George and will forever love the friends they made living here.

Melvin and Shirley's lives were a beautiful testament of love, faith, and family. Their legacy was firmly rooted in gospel principles, with the Savior and each other always at the center of their hearts. They are cherished and remembered by their six children: Lynette Karen Allen, Steven Fred Jensen (Daniela), Debra Lynne Fullmer (Albert), Michael Glenn Jensen (Irene), Sharon Elaine Felker (Todd), and Kathleen Ann Davis (Charles). Their posterity includes 21 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and one great-grandchild soon to arrive.

They were preceded in death by their parents, Glenn Christensen Jensen and Marjorie Helen Jensen; Orvill Edmund Chatterton; and Fred Modesto Baleme and Elfrieda Johndine Baleme. They were also preceded by siblings: Robert Jensen, Elaine Gladstone, Richard Chatterton, Barbara Griffeth, Helen Springstun, Leland Baleme, Naomi Cronk, Fred Baleme Jr, Eldon Baleme, Mary White and Ralph Baleme; as well as their great-grandson, Brady Laval Fullmer.

Their passing together is a tender reminder of the Lord's promises of eternal companionship and families reunited beyond the veil.

Funeral services for Melvin and Shirley will be held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with a viewing prior from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel at 259 North Mall Drive, St. George, Utah 84790. The interment will be held directly following the services at Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George Utah.