Huge Marriages Search Engine!
Jackie Compton McKee
Mrs. Jackie Compton McKee, 76, of Parkdale, Ark., died Jan. 12 at the West Carroll Memorial Hospital in Oak Grove, La.
Mrs. McKee was a native of Parkdale and a resident of Parkdale for many years, and she was a former resident of Farmerville, La., and Phoenix, Ariz. She was a homemaker; a member of the Wilmot Baptist Church and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Buey McKee in 2004; a son, Jack McKee in 1966; her parents, Jack and Cora Nelson Compton; a son-in-law, Larry Armstrong; two sisters, Lois McKee and Ruby Fomby and two brothers, Andrew and Jesse Compton.
She is survived by three daughters, Linda Sue Brandon of Wasilla; Cora Lee Bridges and husband, Robert, of Eudora, Ark., and Terry Ruth Armstrong of Parkdale; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 14 at the Wilmot Baptist Church with Rev. Philip Bowles officiating.
Burial will be in the Parkdale Cemetery. Pallbearers were Gerald Armstrong, Michael Armstrong, Robert Bridges, William Bridges, Chris Bridges and Fred Montgomery.
Memorials may be made to the Parkdale Cemetery Association, c/o Mrs. Glenda Wells, P.O. Box 104, Parkdale, AR, 71661. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home of Hamburg.
James Lee Gohr
James Lee Gohr, 46, died Dec. 12 at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.
Services will be held today at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Palmer with a visitation at 11 a.m. and Mass at noon. Reception immediately following the service.
James was born March 5, 1963 in Anchorage.
He was a heavy equipment mechanic in Palmer and Nome.
James enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting and racing cars. His family wrote, “James was very generous, caring and helpful. He could fix anything mechanical.
“He enjoyed the outdoors whether it was hunting, berry picking, fishing, snow machining or four-wheeling.”
He is survived by his wife, Anna Marie Pushruk, of Palmer, step-daughters Nikki Alto of Anchorage, Kristy Pushruk, and many grandchildren, mother Marie Gohr, step-father Jess Hartman, of Palmer, sister and brother-in-law Beverly and Dan May, nephews Rick and his wife, Heidi and their daughter Twila May, Nathan and his wife, Athena and their children Zoe and Zea May all of Fairbanks, Pat and his wife, Chrissy and daughter Brooke May of Washington, brother Ed and Birdie Gohr, nieces Caitlin, Gabriella and Gracelynn Gohr of Anchorage.
James was preceded in death by his father, Lee H. Gohr.
Arrangements were entrusted to Legacy Funeral Homes and Cremation Services - Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.
G.W. Bailey
Longtime Wasilla resident G.W. Bailey, 70, died Nov. 3, 2010, at his rural Wasilla home.
A memorial service is from 2 to 4:30 p.m., Nov. 10, at the First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla, 1375 E Bogard Road. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.
Garfield Wade Bailey was born April 12, 1940, in Charlottesville, Virginia, the son of Garfield Jackson and Elva Myrtle (Frazier) Bailey. A 36-year resident of Wasilla, G.W. and his family were the owners of Bailey’s Backhoe.
A member of the Baptist faith, G.W. loved hunting, fishing, snowmobiles and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The family wrote that, “G.W. loved his wife, Mae, his children, Jamie and Wade, and his grandchildren, Harley, Kylie and Kimberlee. He had many friends and always enjoyed spending time with them. He was born in Virginia, but loved Alaska from the first day he was here.”
Survivors include his wife, Mae, of the family home; sons, Jamie and his wife Michele and Wade and his wife Marjorie, all of Wasilla; granddaughters, Harley, Kimberlee and Kylie; sisters, Helen Stuphin and her husband Harvey of Amissville, Va., Virginia Hodgson and her husband Francis of Amissville, Va., and Shirley Stover and her husband Peter of Culpeper, Va.
Valley Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Antone “Butch” Azevedo Simas III
Antone “Butch” Azevedo Simas III died Nov. 9, 2010. He was 43.
Antone was born Nov. 3, 1967, in Steamboat Springs, Colo., and came to Alaska in June 1984. He was well-liked by everyone he met. He was always helping his friends and family.
He loved Alaska, and his favorite pastimes included fishing and camping in the summer and snowmachining in the winter.
He is survived by ahis wife Heather Clair Simas; brother, Joseph A. Simas of Missouri, and a sister, Shamarita (Brian) Dalgatty of Idaho. He is also survived by his mother, Sharon Rollins, who lives in Wasilla, as do his three sons, Steven M. Simas, Justin R. Simas and Dexter B. Simas and Barbara Walker. Antone is also survived by his grandparents, Gilbert and Elsie Tipton of Idaho; aunts and uncles, Beverly and Rex Conway of Wasilla, Matt and Rhonda of Big Lake, Darla and Glen Butcha of Anchorage, Donny and Patty Darrah, Ronald and Roxie Tipton, and Geneva Graham, all of Idaho, and Melvin and Jean Laird of California; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Steven Schmidt
Wasilla resident, Steven R. Schmidt, 57, died Nov. 8, 2010, in Wasilla.
A Celebration of Life service is at 1 p.m., Nov. 13, at Valley Funeral Home Chapel 151 E. Herning Ave in Wasilla.
Steven was born Dec. 22, 1953, in Phoenix, Ariz.; son of Bob and Florence Elizabeth (McCormick) Schmidt He moved to Alaska in 1980 and enjoyed fishing, camping, and watching movies and spending time with his family. His family Rian and Tabitha said Steve was the kind of person who was there for you when you needed it; he was a very respectable and generous person who was very kind hearted and one of the hardest workers we’ve ever known. He will be remembered in our hearts always.
Steve’s wife Rhonda said he was the perfect husband and always knew how to make me laugh and he would know what I needed without me telling him. Rhonda said he taught her so much and will remember him being whitty and comforting; and as a very loving and sensitive person.
He did everthing and anything to make me happy and that I love him very much and he will always be in my heart.
Steven was preceded in death by his mother Flo rence, He is survived by his wife Rhonda Anderson of Wasilla; his Father Bob Schmidt of Payson, Ariz.; Brothers Bill and Larry Schmidt of Phoenix, Ariz. and sister in-laws Holly and Adrian Schmidt of Phoenix, Ariz. He is also survived by step-son and daughter in-law Rian and Tabitha Pedalino of Wasilla, step-daughter Kira Pedalino of Wasilla; grandsons Kameron, Aiden, and Rylan Pedalino of Wasilla; and granddaughter Kadence Pedalino of Wasilla. And the family is expecting another grandchild to join the family.
The family is being cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory Wasilla.
John Franklin Price
Memorial services for John Franklin Price, 40, are Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. at New Life Christian Center at Mile 69 South Parks Highway in Willow. Pastor K. B. Tomkins will officiate.
John lost his battle with lymphoma cancer on Nov. 18, 2010, at his Wasilla home. He was born June 30, 1970, in Fresno, Calif., and came to Alaska in October 2008. He worked at Trans Alaska Mechanical.
John enjoyed fishing, hunting and the great outdoors. According to his family, “John was a loving husband and father. A perfect day for John would be fishing with his wife and children. He will be missed. Rest in peace until we meet again.”
John was preceded in death by his grandparents, James and Grace Still, and his grandmother LaVerne Ermoian.
John is survived by his wife, Tarah Price of Wasilla; daughters, Amanda of Phoenix, Ariz., and Keeana and Jade of Wasilla; sons, Pierce of Wasilla and Tristian of Sacramento, Calif.; parents, Doyle and Melba Price of Fresno; sister, Rachelle Braswell of Quincy, Calif.; and brother TZ Price of Fresno.
Arrangements by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.
Norma Jean (Loyer) Benson
Norma Jean (Loyer) Benson, 79, died Nov. 17, 2010, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage. She was born March 31, 1931. Memorial Mass with reception to follow is at St. Michaels Catholic Church, 432 East Fireweed Ave. Palmer on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010 at 1 pm.
Norma Jean was born in Harrisville, Mich., to Joseph and Naomi Loyer; second oldest in family of 11 children. The family moved to Alaska in 1935 as Matanuska Valley Colonists. She graduated from Palmer High School in 1949 with National Honor Society membership and American Legion Award. She was a graduate of the REA Accounting Course and studied Alaska Real Estate Law at the University of Alaska.
She met and married Richard (Dick) R. Benson in 1947. They were married for 41 years.
In 1946, she worked at the Koslosky's Department Store as a grocery cashier, handled bookkeeping duties at the Copper Center Roadhouse in 1949, owned the Dick Benson Amusement Company until 1990. She retired after 31 years with the Matanuska Electric Association’s engineering department. She received numerous awards for volunteering her services including 31 years as President of the Matanuska Valley Credit Union Board. She was a member of the Alaska State Fair Board, Little League Board of Directors, Pioneers of Alaska, Women of the Moose, Emblem Club (ELKS) and served on the board of directors for the Mountain Rose Homeowners Assoc.
Her hobbies included golfing, skiing, biking, road trips, shopping, and grandchild Dalton. An avid traveler, the only continent she missed was Antarctica. She was known for always being busy and doing treating each day as an adventure.
She was preceded in death by her parents Naomi and Joe Loyer; husband Richard Benson; and brother Gary Loyer. Survivors include daughter Deana Johnson of Anchorage; son Donald Benson of Palmer and their spouses James (Spud) Williams and Sharon Benson; grandchild Dalton Benson. Sisters Dorothy Hubbard, Rita Loyer, and Janice Svoboda; and brothers James, Victor, Kenneth, Fred, Rick, and Dennis (Butch) Loyer all of Palmer. Numerous nieces and nephews too many to name or count. She was the matriarch of the family and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Palmer Historical Society or the Colony House Museum where she volunteered to conduct tours on a regular basis, or to a charity of your choice in her name. Please volunteer and become involved as she did throughout her life.
Dr. Sharon Lee Willoughby-Blake
Sharon Lee Willoughby-Blake, DVM, D.C., 63, died Nov. 10, 2010, at her Palmer residence, from complications of cancer.
Sharon was born Dec. 1, 1946, in Battle Creek, Mich. to Sammy and Edna Willoughby. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1970, with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and later with a Doctor of Chiropractic in 1986 from Palmer College of Chiropractic, in Davenport, Iowa. In 1986, Sharon founded Options for Animals, a college of animal chiropractics in Illinois. She was a founding member of Sindorf Equestrian Educational Center. As a lifetime member of ACVA, Sharon received the first annual AVCA Animal Chiropractor of the year in 2000. Other awards that Sharon received were Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus Award, 2001 from Michigan State University, Large Animal Clinic Award 1970 from Michigan State University, and Professor of the year in 1989 from Palmer College of Chiropractic.
Sharon enjoyed spending time with and loving Truman, family, friends, all animals, building miniature dollhouses and teaching. Her family states, “All of the animals are lining up in Heaven: Dr. Sharon is in.”
Dr. Sharon Lee Willoughby-Blake
She is survived by her husband Truman Blake of Wasilla; son Jason Jakubas of Michigan; father Sammy Willoughby of Michigan; brother Keith Willoughby of Florida; and sister Jan Eccles of Michigan.
In addition to her mother, Edna Mae Leeth, Sharon was preceded in death by, grandfather, Francis Conway; and grandmother, Ruby Conway.
Arrangements were by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.
Norma Jean Benson
Norma Jean (Loyer) Benson, 79, died Nov. 17, 2010, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage. She was born March 31, 1931. Memorial Mass with reception to follow is at St. Michaels Catholic Church, 432 East Fireweed Ave. Palmer at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 20.
Norma Jean was born in Harrisville, Mich., to Joseph and Naomi Loyer; second oldest in family of 11 children. The family moved to Alaska in 1935 as Matanuska Valley Colonists. She graduated from Palmer High School in 1949 with National Honor Society membership and American Legion Award. She was a graduate of the REA Accounting Course and studied Alaska Real Estate Law at the University of Alaska.
She met and married Richard (Dick) R. Benson in 1947. They were married for 41 years.
In 1946, she worked at the Koslosky’s Department Store as a grocery cashier, handled bookkeeping duties at the Copper Center Roadhouse in 1949, owned the Dick Benson Amusement Company until 1990. She retired after 31 years with the Matanuska Electric Association’s engineering department. She received numerous awards for volunteering her services including 31 years as President of the Matanuska Valley Credit Union Board. She was a member of the Alaska State Fair Board, Little League Board of Directors, Pioneers of Alaska, Women of the Moose, Emblem Club (ELKS) and served on the board of directors for the Mountain Rose Homeowners Assoc.
Her hobbies included golfing, skiing, biking, road trips, shopping, and grandchild Dalton. An avid traveler, the only continent she missed was Antarctica. She was known for always being busy and treating each day as an adventure.
She was preceded in death by her parents Naomi and Joe Loyer; husband Richard Benson; and brother Gary Loyer. Survivors include daughter Deana Johnson of Anchorage; son Donald Benson of Palmer and their spouses James (Spud) Williams and Sharon Benson; grandchild Dalton Benson. Sisters Dorothy Hubbard, Rita Loyer, and Janice Svoboda; and brothers James, Victor, Kenneth, Fred, Rick, and Dennis (Butch) Loyer all of Palmer. Numerous nieces and nephews too many to name or count. She was the matriarch of the family and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Palmer Historical Society or the Colony House Museum where she volunteered to conduct tours on a regular basis, or to a charity of your choice in her name. Please volunteer and become involved as she did throughout her life.
Julia Ann Weber
Willow resident Julia Ann Weber, 42, died tragically Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010, at her home.
A Celebration of Life service in Julia’s honor for family and friends is at 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010. at Willow Elementary School with Reverend Dan Lush officiating at the services. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Seattle, Wash.
Julia was born July 12, 1968, in Fairbury, Neb. to John Wesley and Sondra (Liebsack) Orth. She worked as a Flight Attendant for Alaska Airlines for more than 20 years and was proud to work for her home state of Alaska in the airline industry. She enjoyed photography and spending time with her pets and especially the time she shared with her son Jacob and her family.
Her family said “Julia was one of the joys of our lives. She loved being a mom to Jacob; she was a beautiful and compassionate daughter, sister, and friend who was generous to all she met and would do all she could to help anyone she met in her life. Julia will always be the family’s Guardian Angel and will be dearly loved and missed by her family and friends. She will always be interned in our hearts.”
Julia is survived by her son Jacob Robert Weber of Willow; her mom and papa Sondra and William Petram of Willow; and father John Orth and his wife Sandy of Colorado Springs, Colo.; brother John Allen Orth and his children Ian and Nicole; sisters Teri Lynn Petram of Phoenix, Ariz., and Michelle Marie Carlile of Affton, Mo. And all her friends and colleagues she made in her time with Alaska Airlines. She was preceded in death by her grandma, Joycen Petram.
The family suggests memorials in her honor be made to the Jacob Weber fund at the Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union Account No. 1319930TR 1020 S. Bailey Street Palmer, AK 99645.
The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory Wasilla.
