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Clint Chil Coleman
Wasilla resident Clint Chil Coleman, 39, died Jan. 8, 2012, in Anchorage following complications from surgery.
Clint was born in Fairbanks June 13, 1972. He attended North Pole schools and graduated from North Pole High School in 1991.
Clint enjoyed pushing the envelope of life and always took each challenge to the next step. If you said "call me tomorrow, " he would call you five times tomorrow. If you said "take the snowmachine slowly down the hill, " he would take it full speed ahead and live with the consequences.
Clint had a long 39 years. He suffered a head injury at the age of 3 and as a result faced a lot of taunting for his less coordinated behavior. He compensated for this by becoming the clown with a heart of gold who would give anyone who needed anything the shirt off his back. Clint loved to make people laugh and be happy, often at his own expense. He could be seen walking all over Wasilla waving at each and everyone who passed. He would walk up to strangers in a store and tell them to smile or have a good day.
Clint's greatest love was hunting and fishing. He would spend the entire hunting season in the woods never really caring if he got a moose. He loved ice fishing at any Interior lake and salmon fishing anywhere and anytime.
Preceding him in death was his father, Ray C. Coleman. Surviving are his mother, Judy Coleman; sisters, Cindy Fox and Sara Levine; and his family of friends in Wasilla.
There will be no services, and the family has asked that in honor of Clint to wave at those you don't know and be nice to each other.
Cremation Society of Alaska cared for the family.
Doris Dinnocenzo
Wasilla resident Doris Dinnocenzo, 82, died of cancer in Anchorage on Jan. 8, 2012.
She was born Doris Martha Pesall to Hedwig and Antone Pesall on Nov. 28, 1929, and raised near Webster, S.D. After graduating from high school in Webster, she obtained nurse training in St. Paul, Minn. She took a job at Mount Edgecumbe near Sitka and worked in the Alaska Native medical hospital there in the early 1950s.
She moved to Kodiak in 1954, and married John Dinnocenzo and raised four children. For the past 17 years, Doris lived near Wasilla.
Over the years, Doris worked at many occupations. Her children remember her saying, "Hard work never hurt anyone." She will be remembered for encouraging her children to be independent. She enjoyed gardening and reading. She was very interested in nutritional health.
Surviving are her sister, Elizabeth Berry of El Paso, Texas; children, Joe and Tom Dinnocenzo of Kodiak, Linda Dinnocenzo of Alsea, Ore., and Elaine Dinnocenzo of Kasilof; former husband, John of Kodiak; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service is at 11 a.m., Feb. 4 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1201 Bogard Road, Wasilla.
In lieu of flowers, send donations in her name to the Palmer Senior Center.
Cremation Society of Alaska cared for the family.
John Michael “Mike” Sanner
Former Wasilla resident John "Mike" Sanner, 65, died Jan. 15, 2012, in Phoenix, Ariz., after a nearly yearlong fight against small-cell lung cancer.
At his request, no formal services are planned.
Mike was born March 28, 1946, in Everett, Wash., to John Frank and Roses Gold Sanner.
Mike served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as a computer technician. He retired in Wasilla in 1988. Mike then worked at Nye Frontier Ford as the used car manager. After 10 years of Alaska winters he decided to move to Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) Mexico, where he stayed until this past December.
Surviving are his sister, Trudy (Sanner) Gendron of Tacoma, Wash.; daughter, Jennifer Gold (Sanner) Miller; granddaughters, Linda, Sylvia and Aleta of Phoenix, Ariz.; and son, Brian Michael Sanner of Duluth, Minn.
Condolences may be sent to 5702 N. 14th St., Tacoma, WA 98406.
Patrick Robert Ray
Patrick Robert Ray, 29, died Jan. 1, 2012.
"Packer, " as his family and closest friends knew him, was a hardworking, blue-collar family man. He loved his family, working in oilfields, punk rock and Jack Daniels.
He was born May 14, 1982. Although he left us at a young age, Packer was able to fulfill many of his lifelong dreams. Along with becoming a father, he fought a couple of professional mixed martial arts fights, attended a World Wrestling Entertainment match, saw several of his favorite bands live in concert and traveled the country. His free spirit brought him all over the United States, often times by way of hopping onto moving trains. Eventually, he settled in Grand Junction, Colo., where he began growing roots with his family while working in the oilfields.
Born and raised in Alaska, Packer fell in love with the Last Frontier and all of its wonders at a young age. He enjoyed fishing, camping, hiking and hunting. He discovered his way around the outdoors in Talkeetna, where his grandparents' cabin was located. It was here where his heart felt most at home.
"He will be missed and remembered every day by those who loved him, " his family wrote. "May his spirit now be truly free."
Preceding him in death were his grandfathers, Gerald Miller and Roy Ray.
Surviving are his wife, Daisy, and children, Grayson and Aurora of Colorado; mother, Sandra Dvorak and her husband Craig of Colorado; father, Terry Ray of Wasilla; grandparents, Dolly and James Watts of Wasilla, and Helen Ray of Palmer; siblings, Jeremy Ray of Anchorage and Shelbylyn Hone of Colorado; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made at any Wells Fargo Bank in honor of The Patrick Ray Family Memorial Fund.
Christine “Kristy” Marie Rustigan
Wasilla resident Christine “Kristy” Marie Rustigan, 50, died Jan.1, 2012, in the arms of the love of her life, Rick Cunningham.
A memorial service in honor of Christine is at 3:30 p.m., Jan. 19, at Valley Funeral Chapel, 151 E. Herning Ave., in Wasilla.
Christine was born in Alaska May 2, 1961, to Robert Morton Rustigan and Susan Carol Shaw.
“Kristy’s laugh and smile will be missed, ” her family wrote.
Preceding her in death was her mother, Susan Doran, who died June 6, 2011.
Surviving are her daughter, Brittany Heskett; son, Devin Cunningham; aunt, Donna Shaw, and stepfather, Vince Doran.
Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family.
Deborah “Debbie” Irene Householder
Wasilla resident, Deborah "Debbie" Irene Householder, 52, died Jan. 9, 2012, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage after several weeks of care there.
A memorial service in honor of Deborah was Jan. 16 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bellevue, Wash.
Debbie was born Oct. 1, 1959, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Pearl Irene (Shaffer) Robison and Don Francis Carlson.
Debbie would later reminisce about a childhood spent floating atop the Great Salt Lake and swimming across rivers of rainwater in the street. She was the eldest of her siblings and often led the way with her adventurous nature. Debbie relocated with her family to Bellevue, Wash., in 1972, where she attended Sammamish High School, married James G. Taylor Jr. at the age of 17 (later divorced), and had the first of her four children at the age of 20. After more than 30 years living in King County, she and husband Chuck F. Householder moved with their daughter Mariah Pearl to Wasilla, where they lived until her death.
"She will be lovingly remembered for her warm smile, exuberant greetings and the joy she showed for her favorite things in life, " her family wrote.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Chuck; children, Jimmy and Adam (Jamie) Taylor, Nathan Woodring and Mariah Householder; and Chuck's children, Kristen and Nick Householder; grandchildren, Mason and Haylie Taylor (Adam and Jamie); siblings, Christeen, Stephen and Shawn Carlson, and Rauna (Robison) Metcalf and Ian, Paul and Treavor Robison; parents, Pearl and Del Robison, and Don and Ann Carlson; as well as many aunts, uncles and hundreds of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Family cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.
George Wesley West
Anchorage resident George Wesley West, 73, died Jan. 19, 2012, from complications from a heart condition at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.
A viewing is at 11 a.m., and funeral service at noon, Jan. 27, at Anchorage Baptist Church, 6401 E. Northern Lights Blvd. After the service, George will be buried at 2 p.m. at Fort Richardson Cemetery with Military Honors. For questions, call Charlene at (907) 441-0632.
George was born Oct. 18, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pa., and moved to Anchorage in 1971. George served in the Navy for three years and another 37 as a civil service machinist. He worked at the Metal Tech Shop 3rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, where he retired Oct. 30, 2009. George had the distinction of being Civilian of the Year and received commendation at the Pentagon in 1987 for that honor. He also received multiple letters of accolade and appreciation from various colonels and lieutenant colonels for his efforts.
George played the piano and enjoyed the outdoors. He especially loved to hunt and fish. He was a craftsman with woodworking and metal fabrication. George truly loved spending time and telling stories to his grandchildren.
His family wrote, "He loved the lord with all his heart as well as his sweetheart, Gail, for the 52 years they spent together. He was the ultimate storyteller of his life experiences. Our father was a patriot, serving his country with pride and love. Dad was a master craftsman with his hands. His grandpa skills made him No. 1 to all his grandchildren. Dad's laugh was also contagious, his sense of humor and quick wit never stopped. Dad loved to eat, and mom's cooking was his favorite. Mom says that he was the best hand-holder in the world. If he had a fault it was that he hated to comb his hair. Overall, he was a good, kind and loving man."
Preceding him in death was his mother, Sarah Katherine West, and his father, George Lewllyn West.
Surviving are his loving wife of 52 years, Gail West of Anchorage; sons, George William West and his wife Barbara of Palmer; and Robert Culver West and his wife Iris of Wasilla; daughters, Charlene Rene Ehm and her husband Kevin of Anchorage; and Michelle Marie Hansen and her fiancé Andrew Corser of Orlando, Fla.; grandchildren, Jonathan, Jennifer and Krystal Ehm, also Lydia, Jacob and Michelle West, and Branden Sparkman, Michael Posciri, and Patrick Corser; great-grandchildren, Emily, Sean, Noah and Maisie Dean, Gianna Ehm, and Ember West, Giovanni and Quency Posciri.
Anchorage Funeral Home cared for the family.
Betty Marie Petersen
Wasilla resident Betty Marie Petersen, 58, died from cancer at home on Jan. 23, 2012, with her loving family at her side.
Funeral services in her honor are at 11 a.m., Jan. 28 at Valley Funeral Chapel, 151 E. Herning Ave., Wasilla. Betty will be buried at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery following the service. Pastor Gary Oathout will officiate.
Betty was born March 21, 1953, in Fort Smith, Ark., to Lyle and Freda (McMahan) Tinker.
Betty was a lifelong Alaskan, living in Fairbanks and Anchorage before residing in Wasilla. Betty worked for several banks in Alaska, but worked for and retired from Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union after 16 years.
The family wrote, "Betty was a very fun-loving person who loved the outdoors and especially her flower garden. She was always up for a camping trip, enjoyed fishing, hunting and even shot her own caribou. She bowled in several leagues over the years in Anchorage and the Valley. There wasn't an art or craft that Betty didn't enjoy or at least try. She was especially fond of beading and decorated everything she owned with stickers or decals. She had an extensive collection of crystals, Tinker Bell ornaments and wind chimes - all on display at her house. Betty loved being a grandma and showered the kids with gifts on Christmas and birthdays. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her."
Preceding her in death was her son, Bobby Petersen; and her parents, Lyle Wandell Tinker and Freda Fern (McMahan) Tinker.
Surviving are her loving husband, Bob Petersen; son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Janice Petersen and their children, Presley Petersen and Trey Petersen; granddaughter, Payton Petersen; sisters, Wanda Garber, Judy Kerman, Beverly Henderson and Wendy Newsom; sisters-in-law, Clara Wheaton and Kathy Maloney; cousins, Tony and Julie Reimann; daughters, Michelle and Melissa; cousins, Frank and Karen Reimann; sons, Bradley and Michael; and cousin, Patty Reimann and children.
Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family.
Erling Peter Nelson
Wasilla resident Erling Peter Nelson, 69, died Jan. 17, 2012, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer due to heart failure.
A memorial service commemorating Erling's life begins at 3 p.m., Jan. 28, at First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla, 1375 E. Bogard Road. Guests are invited to stay for a reception immediately following the service. Erling's ashes will be scattered at Snowbird Mine at Hatcher Pass.
Erling was born March 22, 1942, in Palmer to Nils and Dorothy (Hill) Nelson.
Erling attended elementary, middle and high school in Wasilla. He later earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and also served his country in the U.S. Army. In 1976, he began his employment with the city of Wasilla as a city clerk and later served as finance director for 24 years, retiring in 2000.
Erling volunteered in his community, including work with the Wasilla Volunteer Fire Department, Little Dippers, Little League and Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry. He also enjoyed volunteering his time and talents to the projects of friends and family. Erling was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla and a board member and treasurer for Wasilla-Knik Historical Society. He was a lifelong Alaskan with a love of state and local history, an avid fan of local and regional basketball and enjoyed restoration of historic vehicles. Erling was a caring father to six children and a busy grandfather to his 13 grandchildren, and traveled frequently to the Lower 48 to spend time with family and friends.
Erling was preceded in death by his parents.
Surviving are his sister and brother-in-law, Allayne and Gene Dinkel; children, Michelle Kirkham, Robert Nelson, Steven Nelson, Judy Nelson, Pamela Nelson and Naomi Nelson; many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
"We miss him dearly, " his family wrote.
In lieu of flowers, send donations to Wasilla-Knik Historical Society, 300 N. Boundary St., Wasilla, AK, 99654.
Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family.
