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Donna Marie Myers
Nikiski resident Donna Marie Myers died Wednesday, May 8, 2002, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. She was 81.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion Post No. 20 in Kenai. Adjutant Lloyd Little will officiate.
Mrs. Myers was born Nov. 21, 1920, in Port Townsend, Wash. She graduated from high school and took two years of business college. She moved to Alaska in the early 1930s.
Mrs. Myers, the daughter of Edna Borigo, author of the autobiography, "Sourdough Schoolma'am, " first arrived in Kenai with her sister, Lynn. She lived and traveled extensively throughout the state during her lifetime. In later years, she was affectionately known as 'Mother Superior' while operating the Rig Bar and Cafe' in Kenai with her husband, Roscoe Myers.
"Donna fiercely loved her family and all living creatures she took under her wing, flora or fauna. She succumbed to cancer after a long and heroic battle. Always the lady, she passed with dignity and grace. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, " her family said.
Mrs. Myers was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roscoe Myers; sister, Lynn Novak; and grandson, Brett Milos.
She is survived by her daughters, Bonnie Koerber and Adrianne Milos; her husband, Stan; grandchildren, Brooke (Koerber) Piccolo, Julianne (Koerber) Wittwer, Candance Rodriguez, Shawn (Jurco) Corn and Travis Milos; great-grandchildren, Allen Koerber, Alex, Ruben and Samantha Rodriguez; brother-in-law, George Novak; nephews, Jerry Chapman and Rock Novak; longtime friends, Nadia Carpenter and Barbara Brinkerhoff; high school soul-mate, Jackie Grow and "One-eyed Jack" and his wife, Patsy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Oncology/Infusion Center, Central Peninsula General Hospital, c/o Kathy Lopeman, 250 Hospital Place, Soldotna, AK 99669.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Estil E. Phipps
Estil E. Phipps of Salunga, Pa., died Friday, April 26, 2002, at Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, Pa. He was 91.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Eckhardt Funeral Chapel in Manchester, Pa., with the Revs. Allen G. Harris and Jerry Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Manchester Baptist Church Cemetery in Manchester.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Monday at the funeral chapel.
Mr. Phipps was born April 23, 1911, in Mouth of Wilson, Grayson County, Va.
He was the son of the late Joseph and Myrtle DeBoard Phipps.
Mr. Phipps was an active member of Hope Baptist Church in Hanover, Pa., and a lifelong farmer.
Mr. Phipps is survived by his wife, Grace Marie Townsley Phipps; his daughters and sons-in-law, Emma and Jack Dell of New Holland, Pa., Naomi and Kenneth Wiederrecht of Landisville, Pa., and Ruth and David Haring of Kenai; brother, Gentry Phipps of Darlington, Pa.; sisters, Guida Ingram of Piney Creek, N.C., Bertha Davis of Darlington, and Sally Wersinbug of Newport, N.C.; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Missions for Hope Baptist Church, 6450 Hope Way, Hanover, Pa. 17331.
Albert "Al" Lambert
Happy Valley resident Albert "Al" Lambert died Thursday, May 9, 2002, at his home. He was 91.
Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Ninilchik United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the American Legion Cemetery in Ninilchik.
Mr. Lambert was born Oct. 22, 1910, in Iowa. He moved to Alaska in 1966 and lived in Ketchikan for 10 years, Homer for 10 years and then moved to Happy Valley. He worked in logging, road construction and commercial fishing. He retired from the Teamsters Union in 1969.
Mr. Lambert was active in the Shriners and Masons groups. He organized the movement to start the Senior Citizens Center of Ninilchik, which he and his wife attended daily. He loved to fish and work in the woods.
"He was a hard worker and provided well for his family, " his family said.
Mr. Lambert is survived by his wife, Marguerite of Happy Valley; daughter and son-in-law, Carole and Gene Newcomb of Ketchikan; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Jackie Lambert of California; stepson, Jim Jacobs and his wife, Ruth, of Florida; granddaughter, Karen Takao; and great-grandchildren, Wally and Lonnie Takao of Fairbanks.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Shriners Children's Hospital.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Frank Walter Ostrowski Jr.
Soldotna resident Frank Walter Ostrowski Jr. died Sunday, May 05, 2002, at Central Peninsula General Hospital. He was 41.
Per Mr. Ostrowski's request, there will be no funeral service. His ashes will be scattered in the mountains of Alaska, where his mother's ashes were previously scattered.
Mr. Ostrowski was born March 6, 1961, in the Philippines to Frank and Dottie Ostrowski. He was a former U.S. Air Force crew chief and had also worked as a mechanic throughout Alaska.
Mr. Ostrowski came to Alaska with his family in 1968. He grew up in Anchorage, moved to the Mat-Su Valley, and eventually made his home in Soldotna. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, laughing and joking.
"He loved to fish, and repeatedly enjoyed demonstrating how effortlessly he could always beat anyone else's total catch at the end of the day. He was famous for his sense of humor, and we could always count on his 'one-liners.'
"He fought a 20-year battle with cancer the same way he lived his life -- with heart, strength, courage and plain stubbornness. He has touched many hearts and we will always be grateful for what little time he was loaned to us, " his family said.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Dottie Ostrowski.
Mr. Ostrowski is survived by his father, Frank Ostrowski of Texas; sister, Kimberly Ostrowski Cotton of Eagle River; nephew, Talon Cotton of Eagle River; brother, Michael of Anchorage; and lifelong friends, Brian and Sherry Jones of Kenai.
Arrangements were made by the Valley Funeral Home Inc. in Wasilla.
Edruth "Bud" David Helwig
Former Kasilof resident Edruth "Bud" David Helwig died Friday, May 10, 2002, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. He was 92.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Mr. Helwig was born Jan. 15, 1910, in Shamokin, Penn. He served in the U.S. Navy for 15 years and during WWII and the Korean conflict. He moved to Kasilof in 1986 and later to Soldotna. Mr. Helwig worked as a machinist and tool and die maker. He owned and operated his own service station in Los Angeles, Calif., and later owned and operated an auto repair shop in Ramona, Calif.
He was a life member of the National Rifle Association, Al Malaikah Temple, American Legion, Free Masons Lodge of California, Cryptic Masons of California, and Knights Templar of California. Mr. Helwig was also a minister with the Universal Life Church of Modesto, Calif.
"Bud, " as he was known to friends, enjoyed fishing, hunting, rock hounding, gold mining, reading and photography.
"Bud was a dear friend and will be forever missed. We will miss taking him fishing on the Kenai River that he loved so much. We will miss sharing our lives with Bud. He will be dearly missed by our family and his many friends, " his friends said.
Mr. Helwig is survived by a son, George Wayne Helwig of Oregon; granddaughters, Katrina Helwig and Michille Barba of California; and friends, Leo and Tootie Turgeon and Garry and Linda Daniels of Soldotna.
Edd James Perry
Edd James Perry, a longtime resident of Soldotna, died died of lung cancer complications Saturday, May 6, 2000, at his residence in Greensburg, La.
A memorial service will be today at the Greensburg United Methodist Church, Greensburg, La., at 6 p.m. Other arrangements are pending; there will be a memorial service and spreading of ashes in Alaska.
He was born in Lake Providence, La., Dec. 11, 1936 to Frankie Jackson Perry and Ed Joiner Perry.
He was raised in Lake Providence, La., and attended Georgia Military Academy during high school, and later attended Southeastern Louisiana College in Hammond, La. He worked the oil fields throughout Louisiana, Texas, Norway, Alaska and Indonesia.
From January 1967 to April 1997, he lived in Soldotna, where he also enjoyed commercial fishing for many years. Other activities through the years included the Hammond Volunteer Fire Department, leader for Boy Scouts of America, Peninsula Modelers Association in Alaska and many church-related activities.
He is survived by his wife Wanda Kay Chisholm Perry; three daughters, Wanda Lynn Perry and family of California, Jennifer K. Larsen and family of Alaska and Grace M. Street and family of Greensburg, La.; two sons, John E. Perry and family of Kansas and Leonard M. Perry and family of Alaska; eight grandchildren; foster family Edna Casey and Carolyn McElveen and family of Kentwood, La., and Kathi Ickes and family of Natchitoches, La.; two sisters, Ethel Broussard of Pecan Island, La., and Ernestine Davis of Many, La.; four brothers, John Pearly Petty Jr. of Many, La., DeWayne and Charles Horton of Knoxville, Tenn., and John Turner Sanders of Hall Summit, La.; and other aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his oldest son Edd Jr., foster father Rev. John H. Casey, and a brother Jerry Perry.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Solid Rock Ministries, Children's Handicap Camp, P. O. Box 489, Soldotna, AK 99669 or to a charity organization of one's choice.
Arthur Richard Congdon
Sterling resident Arthur Richard Congdon died Sunday, May 7, 2000, at Central Peninsula General Hospital. He was 36. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. today, May11, at the Soldotna Church of God on the corner of Binkley Street and Redoubt Avenue. Pastor Alan Humphries will officiate. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in Spruce Grove Memorial Park in Kasilof. Mr. Congdon was born Sept. 26, 1963, in San Antonio, Texas. He received a high school education. In 1972, he moved to Alaska and made his home in Sterling, where he worked at Magpye's Pizzeria. At Magpye's, he was well known as the best pizza maker. His family wrote, "Art loved his birds and kept them well fed. He enjoyed photography. He also had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening and plants." Mr. Congdon is survived by his mother and stepfather, Jan and Bill Drew of Hudson, Fla.; father Ron Congdon of Tampa, Fla.; sister, Lisa Moore and her daughter, Jossie Moore of Palm Harbor, Fla.; and his grandmother Helen Congdon of Connecticut. He is also survived by his extended families, the Cotton Moore family, Lee and Myla McFarland, Mike and Marquitta Andrus, Larry and Rockee Gossman and his many friends in Sterling. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 801 W. Fireweed Lane, Suite 103, Anchorage, Alaska 99503. Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapels.
Anne Frances Myrick
Kenai resident Anne Frances Myrick died Wednesday, May 15, 2002, in Homer.
She was 88.
A memorial service will be held in Gilbert, Minn., later this summer.
Mrs. Myrick was born May 2, 1914, in Gilbert. She moved to Alaska in 1975, living in Anchorage from 1975 to 1983, in Kenai from 1983 to 2001, and in Homer since then.
Mrs. Myrick was an expert seamstress and worked at fabric stores and did garment alterations for J. C. Penney for many years. After retiring, she married Walter Myrick and together they operated Lee's Gardens in Kenai.
Her hobbies included sewing and gardening.
"Anne was a loving mother and grandmother who was devoted to her family.
"She had a quick wit and brought laughter and joy to all who knew her, " her family said.
She is survived by a daughter, Matti Munson of Nikiski; three grandchildren and their spouses, Dawn and Clark Judkins of Washington, Crystal Poole of California, and Rocky and Crystal Poole of Nikiski.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at 919 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1100, Chicago, IL, 60611-1676. The family asked that flowers be planted in memory of Anne.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Liz Bolstridge
Sterling resident Liz Bolstridge died Wednesday, May 16, 2001, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. She was 73.
Arrangements are pending with Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Jonathan David Wackler
Soldotna resident Jonathan David Wackler died Thursday, May 10, 2001, at Providence Medical Center in Anchorage. He was 44.
Memorial services will be held 7 p.m. Saturday at the Orca Lodge in Soldotna. Mr. Wackler's ashes will be scattered in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
Mr. Wackler was born Sept. 1, 1956, in Champaign, Ill. He went to elementary school in Thomasboro, Ill. He then went to high school in Rantoul, Ill., and Fort Collins, Colo.
Mr. Wackler moved to Fairbanks in 1977. While in Fairbanks, he worked as a pipefitter for Local No. 375. In 1978, he joined Tulsa Local No. 798 and was still a member.
In 1985, he moved to Soldotna. He continued to work for Tulsa Local No. 798, and in 1989 he also began working as a Kenai River fishing guide.
Mr. Wackler was a lifelong member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. He came to Alaska for the love of the outdoors. He was also an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers. He had a deep love for music, particularly Motown and funk.
His family said, "Jon, known by many as Big John, will be remembered for his zest for life and his insistence on living it on his own terms. He was generous in thought and deed, and had a deep abiding relationship with his God. As he wished, his organs and tissue were donated so others may live longer and better. Jon will be missed by all. He was a devoted son, loyal brother and uncle, and a special friend to many."
Mr. Wackler is survived by his father, Rev. M. E. Wackler, and his mother, Geraldine Wackler, both of Missoula, Mont.; brothers Dan of Eugene, Ore., Joe of Soldotna, and Tom and Tim, both of Missoula; a sister, Jane Curtis of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and 15 nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christian Children's Fund, c/o Orca Lodge, P.O. Box 4653, Soldotna, Alaska 99669.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
