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Betty Ray Wright
Betty Ray Wright, 86, died Sept. 21, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Hospital.
She was born Jan. 1, 1925, in Chihuahua, Mexico, and was a resident of Wasilla since husband Millard Wright died in October 1999.
Betty taught elementary school in Fabens, Texas. She retired and married M.R. Wright in 1950. She was a graduate of North Texas State University of Denton, Texas, as was her husband. She received tennis awards, loved voice training, was a member of various gospel choirs and the Rebecca Lodge of Denton, Texas.
Family memories include Betty as a calm, gentle, pleasant, faithful Christian who was deeply loved by all; 1 Peter 3:4 exemplifies her manner.
Survivors include her daughter, Elizabeth Peet and her husband Larry of Wasilla; and grandson, Aron Peet and his wife Heather, formerly of Wasilla and presently of Charleston AFB, N.C., and their son, Hatcher, Betty’s new great-grandson. Betty was to meet her new great-grandson next month.
Other survivors include her brother, William Henry Ray and wife Barbara of Tyler, Texas; brother, Benjamin Burke Ray of Fresno, Calif.; sister, Mary Morgan of Georgetown, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Family who preceded her in death were brother, John, and sister Genevieve; Jane Barrick; Ruth Sathre; Martha Moore; brother, James Neale Ray; and her husband, Millard Royce Wright, his parents and her parents, Nellie Lillian Neale Ray and James Henry Ray.
Betty was a member of Wasilla Senior Center and Denton Senior Center. She was also a member of First Baptist Church of Wasilla and Hillcrest Baptist Church of Denton, Texas.
There will be a potluck lunch at 1 p.m., Nov. 6 at First Baptist Church in Wasilla, followed by a memorial service. A graveside service at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton, Texas, is scheduled for 3 p.m., Nov. 14.
Coleen Ann Barry
Coleen Ann Barry, 54, died in her sleep Oct. 9, 2011, with her family and husband at her side after a long fight with ovarian cancer at her home in Wasilla.
Colleen was born Dec. 4, 1956, to Patrick Frances and June Elizabeth (Sinclair) Barry in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. She first came to Alaska in 1982. Colleen raised two very hard-working boys of whom she was very proud. She became a nurse in 1994 and had worked at the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center emergency room and Meadow Lakes Elementary School.
In 2007, Colleen was named the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year, which was a very proud day for her. She enjoyed working as a nurse, so she regretted having to retire due to her illness. Colleen enjoyed having friends and family gatherings, like her last party on Sept. 11 at the Palmer Depot. She didn’t want a funeral service or sad event, as she didn’t want anyone to know this was her last event.
Colleen is survived by many friends and her brother, Patrick “Paddy” Barry; sisters, Lynne Peterson and Diane Barry; her sons, Thamen and Duncan Barry; grandchildren, Monique Valentine and Juvenal Barry and her husband, Gary Sambo.
Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.
George William “Bill” Bartholomew
George William “Bill” Bartholomew, 66, died April 22, 2011 at his home in Lemmon, S.D. Memorial services are planned this week for him in South Dakota.
Bill went the distance in a battle that started with heart disease in 2008 and cancer in 2010. He fought the battle quietly and courageously and his final days were spent with family and friends at his side in his Lemmon home.
Bill was born to George and Bessie Bartholomew in Philip, S.D., on July 28, 1944. His family moved to Lemmon in 1946, and Bill attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and Lemmon High School.
Though small in stature, Bill was an outstanding, tenacious athlete and played basketball and baseball as a student athlete for the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets for two years.
He then transferred to Forest Lawn Mortuary School to pursue a degree in mortuary science. Upon completion of these studies he helped Bud Hall Funeral Homes in Philip and Pierre, then moved to Alaska to start his professional career.
He later joined the Anchorage City Fire Department, making a career of this profession while also doing some mortician work. He retired with the rank of Captain.
The outdoor recreation possibilities were instrumental in drawing Bill to Alaska, and he made the most of using his spare time to hunt and fish, as well as guiding for others. His summer salmon camp on the Kenai was a gathering spot for many friends and relatives from the Lower 48, and produced as many great stories as it did big fish. Hunting expeditions also produced stories wilder than the game.
Bill was also very active in the summer collegiate baseball programs in Alaska, and was past president of the Mat-Su Miners Baseball Club. Where else can you play ball in the daylight for 20 hours a day?
Bill married Liz Bell in 1970, and together they raised her two children, Donna and Wayne. They also adopted a little boy, Brandon. They remained active in the lives of their 11 grandchildren. Liz died unexpectedly in 2008 while tending to Bill during his recovery from heart surgery.
Bill retired from the Anchorage fire department in 1993 and began splitting his time between Alaska and South Dakota, following the hunting seasons. He would provide vacation relief for several funeral directors in north central South Dakota. When cold weather hit, he and Liz would go to her home state of Mississippi for the winter. With golf becoming a major pastime, the green grass of the Ole’ Miss fairways was welcome, indeed. After Liz’s passing Bill became close to her widowed sister Lois, and she and Bill gradually became a couple. Lois was instrumental in getting Bill through his heart rehab and cancer treatments. But she lovingly and sadly encouraged his return to Lemmon where he chose to spend his few final days in his home with his “northern” family and friends.
Surviving are Lois; three adult children; 11 grandchildren; 10 brothers and sisters, Marie (Bob) Wolbach of Calif.; Tom (Linda) of Faulkton, Jean (Larry) Fritz of Lemmon, Ralph (Fern) of Wyoming; Charles (Leslie) of Calif.; Ken (Twyla) of Fort Pierre, Susan (Alvin) Schopp of N.D., Don of Ariz.; David of Faulkton, and Teresa Bohn, of Aberdeen. Bill also has 35 nephews and nieces from this large family.
Preceding him in death as his wife, Liz; twin brothers Gary and Larry who died shortly after birth in 1942; and his parents.
And we all shall remember his close attachment to his hunting dog and constant sidekick, Dixie.
And they should. Guys like this are becoming a rarity in these fast changing, “modern” times. He will be missed.
Doris Bell Tallman
Wasilla resident Doris Bell Tallman, 90, died peacefully at home, where she lived with her granddaughter, Dawn Rodrigue, and grandson, Jordan Rodrigue.
Celebration of life in honor of Doris is at 1 p.m., Oct. 16 at Bingo Mania in Wasilla.
At Doris’s request, her ashes will be driven down the Alaska Highway back to Vermont, where she will be buried next to her husband. She also requested a stop along the way at a casino, where $20 will be played in a slot machine for her.
Doris was born May 12, 1921, in Lowell, Vt., the daughter of Dorick and Myra (Akins) Pronto.
Doris moved to Alaska in 1985. She enjoyed sewing, fishing and trips to Las Vegas, but her biggest love was playing bingo.
The family wrote: “She was a strong, independent, loving and caring woman. She was loved by many and will be dearly missed.”
Her PCA, Melissa Dreas, said, “I will miss seeing her face every day.”
Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell Tallman (June 1977); and her daughter-in-law, Sandra Tallman (January 2003).
Doris is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Arthur and Bobbie Tallman of Pascagoula, Miss.; son and daughter-in-law, Dorick and Barbara Tallman of North Wolcott, Vt.; son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Jenny Tallman of Wasilla; son, Winston Tallman of Wasilla; daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and Forrest Dow of Wasilla; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.
Jack Irvin Pike
Wasilla resident Jack Irvin Pike, 56, died of natural causes Oct. 16, 2011, at Alaska Regional Medical Center in Anchorage.
Memorial services were Oct. 22 at Sacred Heart Church. Father Scott Garrett officiated.
Jack was born Oct. 4, 1955, to Robert Irvin and Althea Mae (Rugg) Pike in Lewiston, Maine. He entered the U.S. Army in 1973 serving four years until he transferred into the U.S. Coast Guard, where he served 20 years and retired in 2001. Jack had lived in Kodiak from 1991 to 1996 before moving to Maine. He had lived in Maine until 2007, when he returned to Alaska and took residency in Wasilla.
“Jack was a family man who loved everyone unconditionally. He will be extremely missed, ” wrote the family.
Jack is survived by his wife of 26 years, Irene M. Pike of Wasilla; mother, Althea Pike of Waterford, Maine; daughters, Jaimi Pike of Sebastian, Fla., Alecia Pike of Wasilla and Abbi-Gayle Sterlacci of San Antonio, Texas; sons, Christopher Pike of South Carolina and Jack Pike II of Wasilla; daughter, Aleksys Hegge of Charlottesville, Va.; sons, Shawn and Joseph Pike, both of Wasilla; granddaughters, Nora Hegge of Charlottesville, Va., and Isabella Sterlacci of San Antonio, Texas; brothers, Steve, Wayne, Kevin, Bobby and Brad, all of Maine; and sisters, Pam, Terry and Linda, all of Maine.
Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.
Chris Diane Erickson
Wasilla resident Chris Diane Erickson, 47, died after a lengthy illness at her home Oct. 20, 2011, with her beloved husband and family at her side.
Graveside services in honor of Chris are at 1 p.m., Oct. 24 at Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, Mile 12.8 Old Glenn Highway in the Butte.
Chris was born April 5, 1964, in Vancouver, Wash., the daughter of Richard F. Erickson and Julia M. (Hajduk) Erickson. She moved to Alaska in 1964, and had lived in Kake, Kodiak and Wasilla. Chris obtained a Ph.D. in psychology from Arizona State University, Tempe. She later worked at George Washington, Temple and Fresno State universities. Chris spent a year as a Robert Wood Foundation fellow, working for U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin. She taught counseling at George Washington University and strove to improve public awareness of mental disabilities through research and publications. She retired from the university in June and returned to Alaska.
The family wrote: “Chris loved Alaska; always returning to be with her family. Her nieces and nephews were her children. She was famous for giving them extraordinary birthday parties. She loved camping, gardening, hiking, playing cards and family dinners. Her family and friends will miss her more than words can say.”
Preceding her in death were her Hajduk and Erickson grandparents.
Survivors include her husband, Christopher Hanna of Wasilla; parents, Julia (Hajduk) Erickson and Richard Erickson of Wasilla; brother, Richard Erickson Jr. of Wasilla; sister, Deanna Sandidge of Wasilla; nephews, Will and Nate Sandidge of Wasilla; nieces, Jamie Sandidge, Nikole and Ryan Erickson all of Wasilla and Taylor Erickson of Fairbanks; nephews, Alex Rosenburg of Wasilla, and Earnielee, Allen Michael and Seth Sandidge of Louisiana; aunt, Wilma Whealy of Anchorage; cousins, Jessica and Sarah Whealy of Anchorage; uncles, Ray Hajduk of Oregon and Fred Hadjuk of Los Angeles, Calif.; cousins, Ray Hajduk of California, Brenda Hajduk of Washington, Geri Lee of Washington, Kenna Jutte of Washington and Chuck Hajduk of Oregon.
Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home.
Jack Irvin Pike
Wasilla resident Jack Irvin Pike, 56, died of natural causes Oct. 16, 2011, at Alaska Regional Medical Center in Anchorage.
Memorial services were Oct. 22 at Sacred Heart Church. Father Scott Garrett officiated.
Jack was born Oct. 4, 1955, to Robert Irvin and Althea Mae (Rugg) Pike in Lewiston, Maine. He entered the U.S. Army in 1973 serving four years until he transferred into the U.S. Coast Guard, where he served 20 years and retired in 2001. Jack had lived in Kodiak from 1991 to 1996 before moving to Maine. He had lived in Maine until 2007, when he returned to Alaska and took residency in Wasilla.
“Jack was a family man who loved everyone unconditionally. He will be extremely missed, ” wrote the family.
Jack is survived by his wife of 26 years, Irene M. Pike of Wasilla; mother, Althea Pike of Waterford, Maine; daughters, Jaimi Pike of Sebastian, Fla., Alecia Pike of Wasilla and Abbi-Gayle Sterlacci of San Antonio, Texas; sons, Christopher Pike of South Carolina and Jack Pike II of Wasilla; daughter, Aleksys Hegge of Charlottesville, Va.; sons, Shawn and Joseph Pike, both of Wasilla; granddaughters, Nora Hegge of Charlottesville, Va., and Isabella Sterlacci of San Antonio, Texas; brothers, Steve, Wayne, Kevin, Bobby and Brad, all of Maine; and sisters, Pam, Terry and Linda, all of Maine.
Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.
Rodney Norwood Marsh
Rodney Norwood Marsh, 77, died Oct. 5 at Trapper Creek.
He was born on June 28, 1932 in Fort Riley, Kansas to Samuel E. and Loeta Marsh. He was in the first class to graduate from Shasta College, in Redding, Calif. He was also a graduate of California State University-Chico in Chico, Calif.
He served the nation with honor and distinction in the California Army National Guard enlisting as a private and retiring as a major from the 149th Armor Regiment, Salinas, Calif.
In 1970 he moved to Trapper Creek.
Rodney retired as the senior vice president of lending at Alaska Federal Credit Union. He was a life-long civic-minded individual who served on boards for Credit Union 1. He served on the Historical Preservation Commission of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough as well as the Trapper Creek Community Council, Trapper Creek Historical Society, Sunshine Clinic Board of Directors, KTNA Public Radio Board of Directors, Trapper Creek Comprehensive Planning Team as well as many others. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, history, genealogy and antique collecting.
Rodney was loved dearly and will be missed by his family, friends and his much loved dog, Petunia. He is survived by his daughter, Susan Shearer of Hollister, Calif.; daughter, Elizabeth Marsh Copus of Hollister; daughter, Kristin Marsh Vernor of Hollister; son, Peter Marsh of Hollister; son, Rodney Marsh of Anchorage; bother, Kenneth Lane Marsh of Trapper Creek; brother, Gordon E. Marsh of Corning, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents and sisters, Patricia Marsh and Laura Lea Ford.
A funeral will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday at the Fort Richardson Main Post Chapel, Building 3, Fort Richardson. Interment with military honors will follow at 11:30 a.m., at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care of Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.
Norman “George” Dennis Jr.
Norman “George” Dennis Jr., 34, died Oct. 28, 2011, in Anchorage.
George was born Aug. 11, 1977, in Phoenix, Ariz. He moved to Alaska in 1982, where he graduated from Palmer High School in 1995. George was a member of Plumber and Steamfitters Local Union 367 and enjoyed riding a snowmobile and fishing.
He had a great time in this life. May the next life be forever better. He lived his youth fully, but missed out on getting old. His family will be forever grateful for his memories and living through the good years.
George is survived by his father, N. George Dennis Sr.; mother, Brenda Dennis; brother, Gabriel Dennis; wife, Lindsey Carter Dennis; and daughter, Alyssa Morgan Carter Dennis.
Services are at 1 p.m., Nov. 4 at Kehl’s Palmer Chapel, 209 S. Alaska St., in Palmer with burial following at Aurora Cemetery in Wasilla.
