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John S. McBride
Nikiski resident John S. McBride died Monday, Sept. 16, 2002, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. He was 49.
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.
Mr. McBride was born Aug. 2, 1953, in Pitman, N.J. He attended grammar and high school in New Jersey and attended San Francisco State University, where he obtained an associate degree in fine arts. He also served in the U.S. Army as an airborne ranger.
He moved to Alaska in 1995, residing in Nikiski.
Mr. McBride enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, painting and woodworking, along with many other outdoor activities.
"He was a very diverse man and had a special quality to help people love the outdoors. He will be deeply missed by all his family and friends, " his family said.
Mr. McBride is survived by his wife of 10 years, Donna Banff of Nikiski; mother, Juvina (Caso) McFadden of New Jersey; father and stepmother, Ralph and Elaine McBride of New Jersey; sister and brother-in-law, Patty and Wayne Blithe of Maryland; brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Marianne McBride of New Jersey; sister and brother-in-law, Jacqueline and Mark Becker of New Jersey; brother, Don McBride of Pennsylvania; sister and brother-in-law, Kathy and Rich Shellem of New Jersey; brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Shelly McFadden of New Jersey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations can be made to the charity of the giver's choice in memory of Mr. McBride.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Inez Landrum
Former Kenai resident Inez Landrum died Saturday, Sept. 14, 2002, after a short illness. She was visiting her daughter and son-in-law in Bullhead City, Ariz.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Griffins Funeral Home in Hobbs, N.M. Pallbearers will be Mrs. Landrum's grandsons.
As former co-owner of Hobbs Boot Shop and Inez's Western Wear in Kenai, she also was an active member of the Rebecca Lodge and the Loyal Order of Eagles Auxiliary.
"She will be remembered for her beautiful smile and kind heart, " her family said.
Mrs. Landrum was proceeded in death by her husband of 63 years, Robert Landrum, and daughter and son-in-law, Wilma and Abby Kidd.
Mrs. Landrum is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Charles and Carolyn Landrum of Hobbs; daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Murdock Williams of Rome, Ga., Helen and Billy Chenault of Bullhead City and Kenai, and Shirlee and Sonny Baughman of Belle Fouch, S.D.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gerri and Bill Hawthorn of Hobbs, Sarah and James Payne of Midland, Texas, and Elease and Joe Tucker of Saddle Brook, N.J.; brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Patsy Smith of Farmington, N.M.; and 15 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rebbeca Lodge, the Eagles Auxiliary or the charity of one's choice.
Arrangements were made by Griffins Funeral Home in Hobbs.
Ida Lela Whetstone
Ida Lela Whetstone died Monday, Sept. 16, 2002, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. She was 94.
A private family memorial service will be held in her honor.
Mrs. Whetstone was born Dec. 18, 1907, to John Augustus Weeks and Ida Laura Teel in Garberville, Humboldt County, Calif. Her early life was spent in and around Bear Buttes and the redwoods of California where her grandparents settled in the 1880s. In California, she worked as a cook and veterinary nurse and raised her six children on her own. She moved to Alaska in the early 1990s, living in both Kenai and Soldotna.
Mrs. Whetstone was active well into her advanced age. She enjoyed participating in community events and was a member of the senior companion program, helping those in need at the Kenai Senior Center, for which she earned recognition.
Her hobbies included crocheting, sewing, cooking and gardening. She loved Alaska's mountains and wildlife. Her favorite pastimes included walking, berry picking and combing the beaches for agates. She enjoyed sharing her family history with her relatives and had many enjoyable stories to tell. She will be fondly remembered for her strong hugs, her family said.
Mrs. Whetstone is preceded in death by her first husband, Lester L. Ramsey; second husband, Edward C. Whetstone; twin daughter and son, Beverly L. and Lester L. Ramsey; son, Darold L. Ramsey; and daughter, Dorothy D. O'Neil.
She is survived by her son, Edwin L. Ramsey; daughters, Darlene L. Banner, Laura J. Meyer and Linda L. Wirz; 18 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren and many extended family members.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Fedora Mae Encelewski
Former Ninilchik resident Fedora Mae Encelewski died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, at Alaska Native Medical Center after a valiant struggle with illness. She was 83.
Services were held in both the Anchorage and Ninilchik Russian Orthodox churches. Her grandsons served as pallbearers.
A fourth-generation Russian-Alaskan, she was born in Ninilchik to Alexander and Mary Kvasnikoff. Although a resident of Anchorage for the past 29 years, she returned to Ninilchik every summer where she enjoyed commercial fishing, fish processing, gardening, moose hunting and attending the Russian Orthodox Church.
In Anchorage, Mrs. Encelewski worked for many years as a health aide and in housekeeping. She was renowned for her bread making and people loved her kulich (Russian Easter bread), cinnamon buns and fry bread. She also taught her children the art of smoking fish to perfection.
"She had a large extended family and everyone who met her felt instantly that they were a part of it. She loved all her children unconditionally and would do anything for them. Faith and love were her guiding principals. She always told her children that love was the most important thing in life, especially the love of God and the church, " her family said.
"We loved her stories and antics. She was a hard-working lady who knew how to have fun. 'Come and see me and we'll talk and laugh, ' she used to say. Everyone who knew her will greatly miss her sense of humor. She loved to sing and dance and could play the guitar and accordion. Whether it was cleaning house, cleaning fish or pulling potatoes, her chores always included fun and laughter."
Mrs. Encelewski was preceded in death by four brothers, two sisters, two infant children and three grandchildren.
She is survived by sisters Nadia Oskolkoff and Mae Demidoff; children, Larry Oskolkoff, Loretta Throop, Sharon Culhane, Judy Belcher, Greg Encelewski, Grant Encelewski, Eric Encelewski and Linda Encelewski Henrikson; grandchildren Larry Jr., David, Tanya, Timothy, Sarah, Tricia, Craig, Ryan, Kelsey, Gregory, Ivan, Dustin, Shannon, Jenessa, Laurina, Brett, Zachary, Mark and Cody; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were made by Evergreen Memorial Chapel.
Elizabeth Ann Darien
Nikiski resident Elizabeth Ann Darien died Thursday, Sept. 19, 2002, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. She was 43.
A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Peninsula Grace Brethren Church on Kalifornsky Beach Road. Pastor Dan Thornton will officiate.
Mrs. Darien was born Nov. 6, 1958, in North Bend, Ind. After graduating from high school, she went to cosmetology school. She moved to Alaska in 1981. She lived in Anchorage, Kenai and Nikiski. She also lived in Grand Junction, Colo., for a year. Mrs. Darien worked at Classical Creation for three years, Billie's Hair Design for two years and bartended at the Casino Bar.
She had won the hot shoe packs contest at the Kenaitze Indian Tribe's "My Shoe Packs Are Hot Dance" in the spring of 1991. Her hobbies included sewing, quilting, beading, putting up fish, cooking, camping and fishing at the tribe educational fishery.
"Beth loved spending time visiting with her friends, which she had many of. Beth was most beautiful with her grandchildren. Beth, we will love you forever. She touched all of our lives, and she will be greatly missed. We will treasure her memory forever, " her family said.
Mrs. Darien is survived by her husband of 14 years, Eli W. Darien Jr. of Nikiski; daughter, Angela Goldner of Soldotna; grandson, Kaleb Christian Goldner; granddaughters, Kiarra Justice Goldner and Kitauna Jade Goldner; sister and brother-in-law, D.J. and Dwight Goddard of Texas; numerous nieces and nephews; brothers, Terry Clem, Larry Netto and Richard Dennis; and sisters, Chris Sites, Pricilla Forkner, Cindy Douglas and Camille Bebee.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Philip Theodore Ames
Kenai resident Philip Theodore Ames died in his home Thursday, Sept. 19, 2002. He was 80.
A celebration of his life will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at 1115 Wells Way in Kenai. Friends are invited to attend the informal gathering.
Mr. Ames was born to John and Edith (Greenough) Ames on Nov. 3, 1921, in Lewiston, Idaho. He had three brothers, Robert, Jinks and Richard, and a sister, Mildred. His pioneering family moved to Alaska when he was about 2, settling briefly in Kukak, a clam cannery on the Alaska Peninsula near Kodiak. The family moved to Anchorage in 1926. Mr. Ames and his siblings were all involved in early Alaska aviation.
Mr. Ames was raised to a life of early Alaska adventure. He was hunting and exploring the upper Kenai Peninsula at an early age. He made lifelong friends, whom he never lost contact with. At 15, he spent one memorable night floating around Cook Inlet on a log with his friend Stanley Aho.
In 1943, Mr. Ames joined the Army in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper. He served in the Pacific arena and was on his way to Japan when peace was declared. He was among the first occupying forces in Japan. He was the recipient of several medals and honors and was a member of the American Legion and the Fraternal Order of Alaska State Troopers.
Shortly after his return to Anchorage, Mr. Ames met Betty Anne Woods, daughter of Roy and Annie Woods, who settled in Alaska in 1941. He and Betty married Dec. 1, 1946, in Anchorage. Mr. Ames was working for the fire control service at the time. They started a family, and in 1949, Mr. Ames joined a small intrepid group of Territorial Highway Policemen, under the leadership of Capt. Wes Gilman. Mr. Ames was stationed in the Copper River Valley and based in Gakona. This organization would later be called Alaska Highway Patrol. Mr. Ames held badge No. 12.
In 1951, Mr. Ames moved his family to Kenai, and in 1954 he accepted a position as deputy U.S. marshal. Shortly after, he and Betty found a homestead site on Beaver Creek. They moved their growing family there in 1957. Mr. Ames enjoyed teaching his family the skills he learned as a child. He passed along his knowledge of boating, hunting and exploring. There were frequent trips on the Kenai River, days at Skilak and Tustumena lakes and longer runs to the west side of Cook Inlet.
Mr. Ames often worked away from home doing remote seasonal work and tried his hand at commercial fishing. He got his PA-12 in 1974, although he had been a pilot for many years. He spent many happy hours exploring the area he loved so much and delighted in sharing it with his family.
"He was a teller of great tales and loved to spend time with his friends at the 'coffee shop, ' solving the problems of the world. He read constantly and entertained those who knew him with poetry and songs. His natural musical gifts have been passed along throughout the family. He will always be remembered for his deep love and appreciation of Alaska and its beauty, bounty and mystery, " his family said.
Mr. Ames was preceded in death by his son, Warren Ames.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; children and their spouses, Brad and Memory Ames, Marty Ames Ellis, Kathy and Wiley Stewart, Brannon Ames and Judy Hummel; grandchildren, Dawne Ames, Gable and wife, Brooke, Ames, Rachel Ames, Mandy Ames, Eve Ellis-Carlson and husband, Leif, Annie Ellis, Gavin and Cadence Stewart and Ella and Lydia Ames; and great-grandchildren, Gaeden, Hailey and Trinity Ames.
Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Ryan Alan Flood
Lifetime Kenai resident Ryan Alan Flood died Friday, Oct. 6, 2000, in Soldotna from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. He was 18.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, at Peninsula Grace Brethren Church in Soldotna. Pastor Dan Thornton will officiate. Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai. Burial will be in the Kenai City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Nate Tikka, Brad Perkovich, Jason Bussdieker, Jesse Evans, Chris Watkins and Mike Hooper.
Mr. Flood was born on Oct. 12, 1981, to Tom and Georgia Flood in Anchorage. He was a 2000 graduate of Skyview High School. After graduation, he worked for Homer Electric Association. In June, he began working for Pollard Wire Line.
Mr. Flood was a member of Peninsula Grace Brethren Church. He was also a member of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and a shareholder of Cook Inlet Region Inc. He enjoyed skateboarding, snowboarding and automotive technology.
The family wrote, "Ryan Alan Flood is loved and remembered by all whom his life has touched. His light had shown brightly in all that he sought to accomplish. However brief his time with us was, we all bear a lifetime of memories of Ryan's compassion for all life: we remember his loving nature, his humor and his ability to put his heart into every task that he endeavored toward, no matter how insurmountable and no matter how small.
"Ryan will be forever in our hearts. Our memory of him will lead us through our hardships. His radiance will always light our darkest times, just as he did in life. You will always be cherished and missed. We love you Ryan."
Mr. Flood is survived by his parents, Tom and Georgia Flood; brothers Richard A. Flood, Randon M. Flood and Robert T. Flood; grandparents Harold M. and Sylvia Jo Flood and George and Mildred Schmalzried; aunts and uncles Lisa and Rocky DeMello, Terri Flood, Mark Flood, Rhonda and Robert Koski, and David Schmalzried ; his girlfriend, Jessica Kategianes; and numerous other relatives.
Memorial donations may be sent to Ryan's family, P.O. Box 493, Kenai, AK 99611.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel of Kenai.
Jack Tillman
Longtime Homer resident Jack Tillman died peacefully Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2000, surrounded by his family and friends at South Peninsula Hospital's Long Term Care Unit. He was 82.
A service will be held at Long Term Care at South Peninsula Hospital at a future date.
Mr. Tillman was born in Dunsmuir, Calif., on July 14, 1918. He grew up in northern California. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. He arrived in Homer with his wife and daughter, Kathy, June 17, 1948, where he built a log cabin and lived at Troublesome Creek near the beach between Anchor Point and Homer. He moved to his homestead on Diamond Ridge in 1949, where he remained until he moved to Long Term Care in 1997.
He was a lineman and member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers until he retired in the early 70s, and fished commercially from 1964 to 1977. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed sport fishing and visiting with his friends and was known by his friends to be a funny and generous man.
He was preceded in death by son Henry Charles, grandsons Darrell Lee and Daniel Lee, great-grandson Brandon David, and son-in-law Clyde Corp.
Mr. Tillman is survived by daughters Kathy Corp and Ruth Longhenry, of Homer; son August Tillman, of Los Angeles, grandchildren Darla and Robert Grediagin, of Fairbanks, Dixie and Placido Martinez, of Anchorage, Allie and Gary Longhenry of Homer, Jared, Crystal, Galen, and Angela Tillman, of California; great-grandchildren Tim and Mike Grediagin, of Fairbanks, Tiffany and Eddie Martinez of Anchorage; and the many members of his much-loved "family" at Long Term Care.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.
Arrangements were made by the Homer Funeral Home.
