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Ernest Roy Erickson
Ernest Roy Erickson, 68, died Jan. 6 at home in Palmer.
Ernest was born Feb. 19, 1941, in Greybull, Wyo. He graduated from high school in Cody, Wyo., and served in the Navy, being stationed through Europe, Southeast Asia, Diego Garcia, and retiring as a Chief Petty Officer/E-7 in 1981 at Elmendorf AFB. He was first stationed in Adak in 1971. He lived in Anchorage from 1977 to 1982 and resided in Palmer since 1982.
Ernest also retired from the Alaska Dept. of Corrections at the rank of C02 in 1999.
He was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and a volunteer for the Red Cross of America.
Ernest was an avid motorcycle rider, and most of all he loved spending time with his granddaughters and reading.
His family states, “Dad was a great husband and father who cherished and lived for his two granddaughters, Hailey and Sheridan. Born in Greybull and growing up between Montana and Wyoming, he cultivated his love of the outdoors. He enlisted in the Navy after high school, which allowed him to travel the world. After being stationed in California, he met our mother Katherine. Dad moved the family to Alaska in 1977, and he would call if home for the rest of his life. An avid bicycle rider, after retiring from the Navy at the age of 40 he rode his bike from Anchorage to his childhood home town of Cody, Wyo. Dad did a great many things in life — small plane pilot, military retiree, correctional officer, built ultralights and started motorcycle riding at the age of 63. Most of all he loved his family and we will miss him.”
Ernest was preceded in death by his father and mother, Roy and Thelma Erickson, and wife Katherine Erickson.
He is survived by his brother Gene Erickson of Oregon, his daughter Shawna Finley and son Lee Erickson, granddaughters Hailey and Sheridan, all of Wasilla.
Arrangements were entrusted to Legacy Funeral Homes and Cremation Services — Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.
Earl Layton Reynolds
Wasilla resident Earl Layton Reynolds, 48, died Jan. 10, 2010, from cancer at Golden Pond Assisted Living in Big Lake.
Memorial services were held Jan. 12 at Earl’s Place and Jan. 13. The family will spread his ashes at his home.
Earl was born Feb. 7, 1961, to Bruce and Virginia (Quintana) Reynolds in Jackson, Calif. In 1997 he moved to Alaska, living at Point MacKenzie.
Earl worked in Dutch Harbor. He enjoyed fishing and cooking.
Earl is survived by his mother, Virginia Tymn of Alamosa, Colo.; brother, Dave Reynolds of Wasilla; nephew, Jacob Reynolds of Wasilla; nephew, Travis Brown of Wasilla; sister, Sonya Geiser of Alamosa; nephews, Daniel Brown, Demitrius Whitely both of Wasilla, Matthew Geiser of Alamosa; nieces, Michala Geiser and Samantha Geiser both of Alamosa and best friend, “Frankie 6 Toes, ” of Point MacKenzie.
Memorial donations can be sent to the family C/O Dave Reynolds, P.O. Box 298456, Wasilla, AK 99629.
Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.
CONNIE PINKERTON
A life of love, family, service and 30 years of food service management — but most importantly commitment to Jesus — came to an unexpected end on New Year’s Day 2010.
Mrs. Constance Anne Pinkerton, better known as Connie, 70, wife of Rev. Jerry L. Pinkerton Sr. of North Wilkesboro, N.C., died at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held today at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Wilkesboro, N.C., with the Rev. Kevin Brown and the Rev. Byron Greene officiating. Private family burial will be in Scenic Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Pinkerton was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on July 2, 1939, to Edward and Ruth Dunn. She was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Mrs. Pinkerton received her bachelor’s degrees in business administration and health care administration from Wayland Baptist University. At the time of her death, she was still serving as the hostess at Wilkesboro Baptist Church where she served more than 250 people every Wednesday night, a job that two days prior to her death she told her family she loved.
She otherwise filled her days caring for her husband, her sons and her grandchildren, who were her pride and joy. and the prisoners of the Wilkes County Correction Facility. Other honors bestowed on her included working her way from a dishwasher at a nursing home to the director of dietary and laundry of Providence Health Care System in Alaska. She served for 27 years in the Big Lake Baptist Church Nursery and received, along with her husband, a commendation from the Alaska State Legislature for serving more than 5, 000 meals to firefighters and displaced families during the Miller’s Reach fire in 1996.
In addition to her husband of 54 years, Mrs. Pinkerton is survived by four sons, Rick Pinkerton and wife, Christy of Wasilla, Jeff Pinkerton and wife, Maria of Millers Creek, N.C., Jerry Pinkerton Jr. and wife, Doreen of Moravian Falls, N.C., Andy Pinkerton and wife, Sarah of Boomer, N.C.; one sister, Nancy Hicks of Connecticut; one brother, Terry Dunn of Virginia; 14 grandchildren, Caitlin, Jared, Norman and wife, Heidi, Andrew, Matthew, Thomas, Derek, Joshua, Elisa, Randi, Hannah Adam, Rory Pinkerton and Tyler Johnson.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Wilkes Prison Ministries, PO Box 253, North Wilkesboro, NC, 28659 or to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Building Fund, 239 Champion Mt. Pleasant Road, Wilkesboro, NC, 28697.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro will be in charge of arrangements.
Eloise R. Hehl
Eloise R. Hehl, 61, of Wasilla, passed away suddenly Jan. 3 at her residence.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday at the Meadow Lakes Christian Center, 1040 N. Pittman Rd., in Wasilla with Pastor James McFarlin officiating.
Eloise was born Dec. 2, 1948 in Jackson, Mich., to Clarence and Lanore (LaMarche) Hoffman.
Eloise’s many hobbies included painting, knitting, crochet, sewing, cooking and baking, decorating cakes and pencil sketching. She was a member of the Family Christian Center.
The family wrote, “She was a beloved mother and was loved and admired by all who knew her. A steadfast lifelong Christian. Best friend and constant companion to her husband of three decades. She was a tomboy at heart who gave of herself to all. Eloise brought joy in many hearts with her pencil sketching at the Wasilla Farmers Market and many craft shows. One, who by her living, showed others the need to never give up or lose hope. She was a loving mother, sister and friend. Her lifelong faith and steadfast belief in God led her to witness to many about the God-given gift of the last three years of her life, allowing her light to lead others in finding peace and strength from her example. John 3:16 ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’”
Mrs. Hehl was preceded in death by her parents; brother Edward Hoffman; and sister Yvonne Crampton.
She is survived by her husband James Hehl of Wasilla; sons, Michael Welch of Wasilla, Jack Welch of Denver, Jean-Paul Rabitaille and his wife, Dawn of Wasilla, Bob Hehl of Kennewick Wash., Jeremy Hehl of Calif.; sisters, Ellen Jardel of Arizona, Carlene Hoon of Wasilla, Andrea Short of Arizona and Denise Langlois of Arizona; brother, Gerard Hoffman of California; sister in-law, Judy Scratch of Florida; brother in-law, Mike Hehl of Thailand; brother in-law, William Hehl of Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Gabriel Rabitaille of Wasilla, Kendra, Jessica and Holly Welch of New York, Liam Welch of Denver, Aaron Hehl of Washington state and Caleb Hehl of California.
Catherine Joan Wansor
Catherine Joan Wansor, 91, died Dec. 31 in Palmer. A service will be held Friday at St. Michaels Catholic Church with a visitation starting at 10 a.m., and a Mass at noon.
Catherine was born June 1, 1918 in Queens, N.Y. She became an Alaska resident in 1961 and resided in Sutton. She worked for the Palmer School District from 1961-1980 and then in Sutton as the Post Mistress from 1980-1990 until her retirement.
She was a long-time member of St. Michaels Catholic Church and was the founder of 3 Order Franciscans.
She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She is survived by her sons, John Michael Wansor, Peter Patrick Wansor, Daniel Timothy Wansor, and Robert Richard Wansor, 13 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles A. Wansor, her sons Charlie and Thomas, and daughter Patricia.
Memorial Donations can be made to St. Michaels Catholic Church, 423 Fireweed Ave., Palmer. Arrangements were entrusted to Legacy Funeral Homes & Cremation Services — Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.
Ruby Lee Titus
Wasilla resident Mrs. Ruby Lee Titus, 80, passed away Jan. 6 from complications after suffering a stroke at her home in Wasilla.
Ruby was born June 3, 1929 to Simon and Luella (Lightfoot) Henry in Beaumont, Texas. She resided in Oakland, Calif., where she was the owner and operator of Ruby T’s Soul Food Kitchen and Catering from 1965 to 1970. In 1970, Ruby moved to Anchorage, where she continued operating Ruby T’s in Anchorage from 1982 to 1984. She was an excellent cook and avid bingo player at Northern Lights Bingo and Tudor Road Bingo in Anchorage.
Ruby was a resident of Wasilla for the last two years. She was a member of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Palmer and former member of the Greater Friendship and Shiloh Baptist Churches in Anchorage.
Ruby is survived by her daughter, Etta Bradley and her spouse, Edward Stores of Wasilla; grandchildren, Eldridge Bradley and family, Elgin Bradley, Eldrae Bradley and her fiancé, Stephen McGee, Elicia Small and her husband, Terrell Small all of Wasilla; her beloved great-grandson, King L. J. Small of Wasilla, nephew, Donell Polk and his wife, Vernitta Polk and family all of Wasilla; 13 great-grandchildren of Anchorage and Tennessee; two great-great-grandchildren of Anchorage; and sister, Ella V. Turner and family of California. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Gertrude Pena and Melvie Jean Rigsby; nephew, Gregory Polk; and former spouses, Gilbert Freeman and James “Goat” Titus.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Valley Funeral Home, 151 East Herning Ave. in Wasilla. Viewing will be held one hour prior to services. Pastor Jessie Mitchell will officiate. A celebration of Ruby’s life will immediately follow the services at the family home in Wasilla.
The family wishes to thank Mat-Su Medical Center and Home Health Care nurses for the excellent care they provided to Ruby.
Arrangements were by the Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.
Kenneth Dale Briggs
Long time Big Lake resident Kenneth (Ken) Dale Briggs, 76, died Dec. 6 at his home in Fort Mahave, Ariz.
As he requested, there will be no service.
He was born Aug. 22, 1933 in Painesville, Ohio, and moved to Alaska in 1965 with his wife and four children. He, along with his family, homesteaded 80 acres in the Big Lake area and enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating in Alaska before retiring from the Mat-Su Borough in 1988. He spent the last 20 years enjoying his retirement between Big Lake and Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Mary Lou Briggs, and a daughter, Susan Jane Briggs.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, William (Bill) and Nancy Briggs of Las Vegas, Nev. Daughters and sons-in-law, Gil and Sharon (Shary) Lee of Wasilla and Michael and Shirley Bryan of Big Lake.
Donald Joseph Hill Jr.
Donald Joseph Hill, Jr. (Donnie) was born Feb. 4, 1973 in Anchorage, but lived most of his life in Wasilla. Donald passed away Dec. 25, 2009, at the age of 36.
Donald is survived by his parents Donald Sr. and Grace Hill, son Robert Joseph Hill, brother Travis Hill, former wife Jeanette Hill, grandmothers Dorothy Hill of Oregon, Edna Senungetuk of Shishmaref, and nephews Dominic, Michael, Nathaniel Hill, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Donnie was preceded in death by his great-grandparents Bessie Alexander, Blanche Davis, Willie and Helen Senungetuk, grandfathers Stanley Senungetuk, Nyle Hill Sr., uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Donnie loved and cared for all of his family members and friends.
Donnie graduated from Wasilla High in 1991. During 1993-94, he worked for Guardian Security; in 1995 he attended Alaska Technical Training School for automotive repair/refinishing. He worked various jobs as an auto detailer and parts salesman. In 2000, while employed as a general laborer for VECO, he obtained his CDL, North Slope Training Card, completing a course in hazardous waste operations/emergency response. In 2002, he found his true passion working in the electrical field, beginning as an apprentice for Kainer Electric; in 2004 graduating as a residential wireman at Point MacKenzie; in 2008 becoming a member of the IBEW, working for ALCAN; then worked for Fuchs as a residential wireman including some commercial.
Donnie loved to cook, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas, hand-crafted ivory/baleen jewelry, played pool and enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping with his son, family members and friends.
Donnie was a very loving, caring father to his son Robbie who meant the world to him.
The family wrote, “Donnie was thoughtful, well-liked, and would help anyone in need. We were very proud and blessed to have had Donnie as our son for a short time God allowed him to be with us. We loved him very, very much and will miss him greatly.”
Services for Donald Joseph Hill Jr. will be held Saturday at Central Lutheran Church in Anchorage with the Rev. Karen Sonray officiating. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. and services at 2 p.m., followed by a potluck. Arrangements by Evergreen Memorial Chapel.
Jessie Ella Harrison
Jessie Ella Conner Harrison, 97, passed away peacefully Jan. 9 surrounded by her family.
Jessie Ella was born in Hill County, Texas, on Jan. 2, 1913. She graduated from Wingate High School, where her favorite subject was math. On Sept. 25, 1939 she married A.H. ”Bud” Harrison and settled in the Bradshaw community to raise a family. She was an active member of Bradshaw Baptist Church, where she was church clerk for 39 years. After retirement she joined South Side Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas. Her home-cooked meals were legendary. Especially memorable were her coconut cream pies.
Jessie was proceeded in death by her husband; her parents, Ada and Carrol Conner; her sister, Mary Katherine Childers; and brother, Robert Conner.
She is survived by two sons, David (Trish) of Wasilla and Eddie (Rebecca) of Abilene; seven grandchildren, Kati, Cindy (Keath) Hull, Gary, Tarah, Amy, Sarah (Brandon) and Marisa; three great-grandchildren, Madisen, Kennedy and Aidan; and one cousin, Billyevan Benton of Ft. Worth, Texas.
The family requests that memorials be made to Hospice of the Big Country or the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, TX, 79605.
Walter Thomas Williams
Walter Thomas Williams, 91, a longtime Palmer resident, died Jan. 8, 2010 at his residence.
The funeral services will be held today at 1 p.m. at Valley Funeral Home, 2020 N. Hemmer Road in Palmer. Officiating will be Hospice Chaplin Stuart Mitchell and Pastor Tom Hoffman. Masonic services will also be held. Graveside services will be held following the funeral in the Palmer Pioneer Cemetery.
Mr. Williams was born on April 24, 1918, in Charlestown, S.C., to Frank and Ada (Thomas) Williams. The family moved to Ft. Collins, Colo., when Mr. Williams was 2. He graduated from Colorado State University, receiving his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering.
He was married to Mary Elizabeth Spence on Oct. 15, 1943 in Denver, Colo., where they resided until moving to Alaska in June 1960. He was the superintendent of the Aklutna Power Plant and area manager for Alaska power administration until his retirement in 1974. After he retired from the power plant, he worked for MEA for several years. He also spent several years in the Army and National Guard.
Mr. Williams is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Debra Wickersham of Silt, Colo.; daughter Cynthia Williams of Washington, D.C.; son and daughter-in-l aw Tom and Bonita Williams of Seattle; sister Mildred Williams Hockin; and seven nieces and Nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary.
He had many interests and activities. Among those were his family, friends and his pets. He was a small-aircraft pilot and the captain of a pleasure boat. He was an avid collector of both stamps and rocks. He also enjoyed photography, gardening, four-wheeling and astronomy. Mr. Williams was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping, as well as prospecting for gold. He was a member of the Matanuska Masonic Lodge 293 and served as Worshipful Master in 1972. Mr. Williams also belonged to the Shriners, the Kiwanis and the Elks. He also coached his son’s Little League team many years ago.
Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Palmer.
