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Elma Fay Miller
Mesa, Ariz., resident Elma Fay Miller died Wednesday, June 20, 2001, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna while visiting her daughter. She was 71.
At the family's request, there will be no services.
Mrs. Miller was born June 9, 1923, in Uneeda, W. Va.
"Mom was a gentle soul and very loving, " her family said.
Mrs. Miller was preceded in death by Charles Miller, her husband of 46 years, in 1992.
She is survived by her daughters Brenda Dunn of Soldotna, Ann Miller of Arizona and Ellen Norton of Michigan; son, Anthony Miller of Florida; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Richard Franklin Sipes
Longtime Kenai resident Richard Franklin Sipes died Friday, June 30, 2000, at his home in Kenai. He was 57.
Private family services were held Saturday with Pastor William Miller officiating, with an additional service held Sunday at Peninsula Memorial Chapel with Pastor Dan Eason officiating.
Mr. Sipes was born June 16, 1943, in Fenton, Mich., to John and Geraldine Sipes. He lived in Kenai for the last 19 years, enjoying fishing, hunting and spending as much time as possible with his family.
"A gift from God, our father had compassion, love and understanding that had no bounds. He walked the path of life as he spoke the sounds. His wife, children, family and the Lord were his greatest love. The Lord blessed and honored our family with his life from above. No one will ever replace his love that he has given us in our hearts.
"We will all cherish his memory with our love for the rest of our lives. The Lord in heaven will give our father a star so that we can always look to the heavens just to say hello with love. He will always be with us holding our hands and walking by our side. We shall all carry on his life of love, compassion and understanding through the rest of our days. For our father was a gift from God. Love always his wife, children, and friends, " his family wrote, adding, "Our father always believed to have compassion and love for others before yourself, this is what the Lord wanted us all to do, this is the way he lived."
Mr. Sipes is survived by his wife of 37 years, Ruth Ann Sipes, of Kenai; son, Richard John Sipes, of Kenai; son and daughter-in-law, Curtis and Jeanne Sipes, of Anchorage; daughters Paula Sipes, Cherye Sipes and Geraldine Sipes, all of Kenai; daughter and son-in-law, Darlene (Sipes) and Gary Kernan, of Kenai; brothers Darwin Sipes, of Sterling, and Johnny Sipes of Michigan; sister, Judy Collion of Michigan; grandson, Arnold Sipes, of Kenai; numerous nieces and nephews; stepbrother, Gary Davis, of Michigan; stepsister, Bonnie Wagner, of Michigan; and stepmother, Lorena Sipes, of Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society, Central Peninsula Unit, P.O. Box 2165, Kenai, AK 99611.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Laura Lucile Butler
Nikiski resident Laura Lucile Butler died Monday, June 18, 2001, of respiratory failure at Heritage Place in Soldotna. She was 71.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Moose Lodge Family Center in Kenai. Family friend Ray Adamson will present the eulogy.
Mrs. Butler was born Feb. 19, 1929, in San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas. She graduated from San Angelo High School in 1947 and moved to Alaska in April 1960. She lived in both Nikiski and Kenai over the years.
Mrs. Butler was the owner of Laura's Clerical Service until 1974. She also assisted her husband Barron in several family businesses until her health began to fail in 1994. She retired from active employment in 1993.
Mrs. Butler was an early member of the Kenai Methodist Church in Kenai and was awarded the Kenai Chamber of Commerce trophy for "Best Dressed Woman" in 1967. Her main interests were her family and grandson Wayne Wilson.
"Our wife and mother will always be lovingly remembered as beautiful and supportive of all her family ventures as well as our family adventures, " her family said. "Her smile and her silver gray hair were considered her own personal asset. For many years she was known as 'The Silver Fox' to virtually all who knew her."
Mrs. Butler was preceded in death by her son "Buzz" in 1984.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Barron Butler; daughter and son-in-law Connie and Coby Wilson; grandson and his wife Wayne and Gina Wilson; great-grandchildren Dominic, Chad and Gerrica; sister, Betty McEver; brother, George Johnston; and many nieces and nephews in California and Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in Mrs. Butler's name to Heritage Place, 232 Rockwell Ave., Soldotna, AK 99669.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Juel Richard 'Dick' Nielsen
Former Alaskan Juel Richard "Dick" Nielsen died of age-related causes Tuesday, April 23, 2002, at his home in Florence, Ore. He was 86.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Spruce Grove Cemetery in Kasilof. A reception will follow.
Mr. Nielsen was born Feb. 22, 1916, in San Francisco to Juel Hans and Minnie Freitag Nielsen.
He first came to Alaska during World War II to work in Kodiak on the military base. He also spent many years painting on the White Alice sites throughout the state. He and his wife, Mildred, operated the Naptown Inn in Sterling from 1955 to 1957.
Mr. Nielsen lived in Anchorage, Nikiski and Kasilof for 50 years before moving to Florence in 1996. He married Sallie Kelly in 1989.
He loved fishing, hunting, clam digging and being surrounded by his friends and family.
"His example to all of us as he helped guide us through life will never be forgotten, " his family wrote.
Mr. Nielson was preceded in death by his first wife, Mildred.
He is survived by his wife, Sallie; sons, Wayne Nielsen of Tucson, Ariz., and Dennis Nielsen of San Francisco; daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Grant Fritz of Kasilof; daughter, Patricia Baldridge of Soldotna; grandchildren and their spouses, Patrick and Carol Schmidt of Anchorage, Suellen and Robbie Thompson of Ninilchik, Jamie and Joy Baldridge of Soldotna, Jeanine and Bill Garry of Juneau, John and Sheilah Baldridge of Fairbanks, Judy Karlen of Carnation, Wash., Marina and Greg Bosick of Kasilof, Katie and Dave Blossom of Kasilof and Julie and Joe McElroy of Gunnison, Colo.; sister, Anita Swartling of Cottonwood, Calif.; seven stepchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were made by Andreason's Cremation and Burial Service in Florence.
Joyce Rheingans Cooper
Former Kenai resident Joyce Rheingans Cooper died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2001, in Portland, Ore. She was 90.
Mrs. Cooper was born in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Jan. 6, 1911, and grew up in Minnesota. She married Ervin Rheingans in 1930, and they moved to California the following year. In 1937 they traveled to Alaska with a group of young men in search of gold on Resurrection Creek above Hope. Their daughter, Arlene, was born in 1939.
The family moved to Kenai in 1948, where she became postmaster. She served in that position until 1961, when she and her husband moved to Arizona. Mr. Rheingans died in 1972.
She subsequently married Richard Cooper of Columbia, Mo., whom she met on a tour of the Holy Land. They resided in Sun City, Ariz., until his death in 1990, when she moved to Portland to be near her daughter's family.
"For the past four years, Mrs. Cooper lived at Regency Park Assisted Living Facility, where she was much loved and had many friends. She was a faith-filled Christian whose greatest pleasure was in serving others. Her cheerful smile and kind words will be missed by all who were privileged to know her, " her family said.
Mrs. Cooper is survived by her brothers, Donovan and Philip Doring of Minnesota; daughter Lisa (Arlene) Augustine and son-in-law Thomas Augustine of Lincoln, Calif.; granddaughters Stacy Augustine and Michelle (Mrs. J.T.) Holmen; great-grandchildren Isabella and Samuel Holmen; and many nieces and nephews.
Ed Pittman
Former Nikiski resident Ed Pittman died Monday, June 17, 2002, at a good friend's house in Texas. He was 43.
Mr. Pittman lived in Nikiski and worked on the BP gas to liquid plant for almost a year. He fell in love with Alaska and its people and planned to return as soon as possible and make Alaska his home. During the time he was here he made many friends in this area. He is greatly mourned by those here who worked with him, liked him and especially those who loved him. Ed will be buried in Cady, Texas, on June 21, 2002, with full military honors.
John Franklyn Loosli
Former Anchor Point resident John Franklyn "Frank" Loosli died Wednesday, June 19, 2002, at Heritage Place in Soldotna. He was 84.
At his request, there will be no service. His ashes will be buried at Stariski Creek Cemetery.
Mr. Loosli was born July 6, 1917, to John Joseph and Ada Pearl Loosli in Rexburg, Idaho. He moved to Alaska in 1951 and homesteaded in Anchor Point.
He worked as a carpenter and took part in building many Alaska schools, hospitals and government buildings such as Wildwood, the old Providence Hospital, Homer High School, the early warning dew line project and many more.
Mr. Loosli loved fishing, camping and spending time with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Wanda Moore Loosli; his brother, Leo Loosli; and his grandson, William Thurmond.
Mr. Loosli is survived by his children, Vanita Thurmond of Anchor Point, Diamond Loosli of Anchor Point, John Loosli of Texas, Penny Owens of Kenai and Frank L. Loosli of Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Delbert and Betty Loosli of Idaho; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Harold Tobin of Idaho; wife of 28 years, Sharon Loosli of Kenai; stepchildren, Sheryl Martin of Anchorage, Steven House of Anchorage, Charles Sterling of Kenai and Charlene Sterling of Kenai; 42 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please give donations to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Robert Edwin Ealey
Kasilof resident Robert Edwin Ealey died Saturday, Sept. 30, 2000, near his home. He was 79.
At his request, there will be no services.
Mr. Ealey was born Dec. 9, 1920, in Hudson, Colo. He graduated from high school.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945, obtaining the rank of captain.
He was a fighter pilot in the air offensive over Europe and Normandy during World War II. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.
Mr. Ealey worked for the state of Colorado Division of Highways as a snowplow operator in the Wolf Creek and Cascade areas. He retired from the state of Colorado in 1979.
He moved to Kasilof in 1985.
Mr. Ealey's hobbies included baking his own bread. His family said he cleared snow better than anyone.
"Bob came to Alaska to help and be near the wife and son of his deceased son Steven. Bob was a wonderful friend and grandfather to his daughter-in-law and grandson.
"He will be forever missed by all. He was a great and honorable man, " the family wrote.
Mr. Ealey is survived by his son, Mark Ealey, of Phoenix, Ariz.; former daughter-in-law, Linda Wright, and husband, Seth, of Kasilof; grandson, Jesse Burnham, of Kasilof; and his brother and sister-in-law, Bud and Aileen Ealey, of La Jara, Colo.
Mr. Ealey was preceded in death by his sons Michael and Steven Ealey of Durango, Colo.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
