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Frances Elayne Williams
Palmer resident Frances Elayne Williams, 86, died at her home Jan. 11, 2012, surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren.
Elayne was born July 20, 1925, in Kingston, Idaho, to Leon and Marjorie Holland Perry. After high school, she attended business college in Los Angeles, then returned to Idaho and married Bert Lien. Elayne was pregnant with Bert’s second child when he tragically drowned in Couer D’ Lene Lake in 1953.
A few years later, Elayne met and married George A. Williams and they came to Palmer in 1957. Elayne worked as a medical administrative assistant for Dr. Hume and Dr. Bartko for several years. She was a champion bowler, winning several trophies for her Palmer women’s teams over the years. She also enjoyed reading and gardening. Elayne and her late husband George were awarded several Beautification Awards by the city of Palmer for the lovely landscaping of their home.
Elayne and George also enjoyed traveling and visited numerous places around the world after they both retired. After George passed away, Elayne continued their tradition of landscaping their home with the help of family and friends, winning yet another Palmer Beautification Award this past summer.
Preceding her in death were her parents and siblings, Betty and Lucille, as well as her husband of 50 years, George.
Surviving are her daughters, Dr. Kandace Williams of Ohio and Wendy Williams Garwood of Palmer; sons, Kerry Williams of Eagle River and George L. Williams of Arizona; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; as well as her loving golden retriever, Rumer.
No services are planned.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Elayne’s name to the American Heart Association or the Mat-Su Animal Care and Regulation Shelter.
Jerry Daniels Sr.
Jerry Daniels Sr., 72, of Wasilla died at his home Dec. 16, 2011, after a brief battle with brain cancer.
Jerry was born Feb. 13, 1939, and raised in Gentry, Ark.
His early years took him to the harvest fields of Colorado, the copper mines of Arizona, military service in Texas, and finally to his true calling - highway construction in Alaska in 1967, where he worked summers on most of the roads in Southcentral Alaska, from the Kenai Peninsula to Tok.
His Alaska winters were spent bringing vehicles home in boxes from local wrecking yards and reassembling them; in the cold winter months, he was also Jerry of "Jerry's Thawing."
He was one of five children born to the late Don L. Daniels and the surviving Mildred Shockey. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Lou Daniels, and survived by his brothers, Danny Daniels (Betty) and Bill Daniels (Renee); sister, Lisa Lawrence; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jerry will be forever remembered by his wife, Harriet; his son and daughter-in-law, JD and Susan Daniels; his adoring grandchildren, Corrine, Erica and Jenna; and his daughter and son-in-law, Josette and Jason Bean.
His first Alaska friends will have good memories of snowmachining and potluck dinners, and his John Lake buddies will most surely miss his "good enough for who it's for" construction technique and his famous campfire beans.
There will be no service; however, a potluck was Dec. 18 in celebration of Jerry's free-spirited and adventurous life. There will be a scattering of his cremains at his John Lake cabin in the summer. Donations may be sent to Mat-Su Regional Home Health and Hospice, 950 E. Bogard Road, Suite 132, Wasilla, AK 99654.
John Robert Kennedy
John Robert Kennedy, 72, died at his home Dec. 18, 2011.
He was born June 7, 1939, in Seattle, Wash., to Andrew and Edyth Kennedy.
John had an adventurous life from the start. He joined the Air Force and moved his family to Alaska in 1958. Before settling in Alaska permanently in 1971, his line of work moved him to many different states in the Lower 48. He was also an accomplished commercial diver, member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 77 in Washington, Alaska Shriners, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Rifle Association and was a private pilot. John worked as a lineman with Chugach Electric Association and retired from Matanuska Electric Association as a dispatcher.
He had a passion for hunting, fishing and his church. He loved spending his summer days on his boat in Homer and attending Sunday service at Church on the Rock, which was the highlight of his week these last few years. As a member, he found peace within himself, salvation, faith and trust in the Lord again.
If you knew John, he was quite the character and loved teasing. His daily routine always included lunch with his buddies at Chili's.
John enjoyed being around his grandkids and was thrilled to be a great-grandpa.
"He was loved by everyone who knew him, " his family said.
Surviving are his daughters, Lisa Hendrick of Anchorage and Kim Ridge of Sammamish, Wash.; son-in-law, David Hendrick; grandkids, Jeremy, Kali and Cory Hulquist, Cam and Cody Hendrick, and Brandon and Randi Ridge; and five great-grandkids.
Preceding him in death was his father, mother and sister.
A celebration of life is from 2 to 6 p.m., Jan. 15 at Mat-Su Resort in Wasilla.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of John to the American Heart Association are suggested.
Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory in Wasilla cared for the family.
Joyce Ann Oldham
Wasilla resident Joyce Ann Oldham, 58, died Dec. 28, 2011, after a long battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.
Funeral services in honor of Joyce are at 11 a.m., Jan. 2, 2011, at First Baptist Church, 900 Leatherleaf Loop, Wasilla. A public viewing is at 10 a.m. Pastor Stephen Shrimplin will officiate. Joyce will be buried at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery.
Joyce was born March 6, 1953, in Yakima, Wash., to Robert and Sarah (James) Hart. She attended Green River Community College after graduating from high school. Joyce enjoyed gold panning, metal detecting, fishing, hunting and Western movies. She retired from Boeing in 2000 and moved to Alaska in April 2010 to be closer to her family.
"Joyce was a loving mother, grandmother and a devout Christian. Joyce will be greatly missed, " the family wrote.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Bernard Dale Oldham and mother, Sarah Maurine Hart.
Surviving are her father, Robert E. Lee Hart of Orting, Wash.; sister, Veta Howard of Federal Way, Wash.; sister, Denise Hart of Federal Way; brother, Monte Hart of Des Moines, Wash.; son, Charles Dale Oldham and wife Melinda Kay of Palmer; son, Ordie Lee Oldham and wife Ashley Anne of Fort Greely; son, Emmett Wayne Oldham of Wasilla; granddaughters, Taylor Ann Oldham and Katlyn Faith Oldham of Palmer; grandson, Christian Dale Oldham of Palmer; grandsons, Matthew Walter Oldham and Samuel James Oldham of Fort Greely; and grandsons, Keaton McCoy Oldham and Landon Elijah Oldham of Wasilla.
Memorial donations in memory of Joyce may be made to Gideon Bible Donation at gideons.org.
The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.
Kenneth D. Umphenour
Talkeetna resident Kenneth D. Umphenour, 86, died at his home on Dec. 28, 2011.
A celebration of life in honor of Kenny is at 3 p.m., Jan. 7 at Big Su Lodge, Mile 104 of the Parks Highway, Talkeetna. His ashes will be scattered in Colorado Creek.
Kenneth was born Oct. 25, 1925, in Pleasanton, Kan. Kenny moved to Alaska in 1953 and lived in various areas of the state, including Anchorage, Colorado Creek, Willow and Talkeetna. Kenny worked in the log sawing industry, several heavy equipment jobs and was general manager of the Big Su Bar in Talkeetna. Kenny enjoyed guns, wood milling, gold mining, driving a bobcat and whatever dog was in his life.
"Kenny had many friends who treated him as family. He was rich beyond words with love, " his family wrote. "Have fun, Kenny, on your bobcat and gold mining with your dog."
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Helen.
Memorial donations in honor of Kenny may be mailed to: Mary Walsh, P.O. Box 13513, Trapper Creek, AK 99683.
Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family.
Norman Roy Goodman
N. Roy Goodman, 72, died Dec. 26, 2011, with his wife at his side.
He was born in El Paso, Texas, on May 10, 1939. He came to Alaska with his parents in 1946, Mary Buckner Goodman and Allen Goodman, arriving by ship.
He attended Anchorage High School and graduated in 1957, the same year he married his sweetheart, RoseAnn Branton. They attended Oregon State College together, and he graduated in 1963. During summer breaks, they returned to Alaska, where he worked at various surveying jobs in the Bush.
Roy's career spanned the state, from city manager of Cordova and Kodiak to being a traveling city manager for the state to small communities, helping them manage their responsibilities. From 1971 to 1977, he worked for Alyeska Pipeline Co. as manager of a minority enterprise small business investment company, which provided technical assistance, training and grant assistance to minority contractors.
After pipeline construction ended, Roy worked as a consultant. With Knikatnu Inc., he helped with land selection, sales and leases. One of the leases was for the original feasibility study for the Susitna Hydroelectric Project, which is again proceeding. With Ahtna group, he provided management services to develop that business into tent camp establishment and catering. This catering business was later merged into a joint venture with Grandmetropolitan Ltd., an international catering company. This led to a contract with all of the pump stations for a few years.
Roy managed catering and tent camp services for several clients, working directly for Grandmet, which became Statewide Services and is now ESS Support Services. The company has expanded to international contracts of many varieties. Roy retired in 1999 and did consulting for several years until being disabled by Parkinson's disease.
Surviving are his wife of almost 55 years; son, Brian Goodman; and a brother, Al Goodman.
His parents and two sons, David and Orhan, predeceased him.
A memorial service is at 1 p.m., Jan. 14 at the log church in Palmer. A family scattering of ashes is planned this summer at West Lake.
Memorial contributions may be made to United Protestant Church, 713 S. Denali St., Palmer, AK 99645.
Paul Anthony Ringus
Paul Anthony Ringus, 73, died Dec. 6, 2011, of respiratory failure and bacterial pneumonia in Leesburg, Fla., with his wife and son, Jack, by his side.
Paul was born July 28, 1938, in Glen Cove, N.Y., and raised in Belmore, Long Island, N.Y. He moved to Alaska in 1964. He was very proud of the fact that he was hired in Canada for his job with Alagco, where he worked for 30 years, receiving a gold watch when he retired. He was a proud member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302 for 45 years and Sons of the American Legion Post 35.
He was one of two sons born to the late Paul and Hazel (Stephens) Ringus, and was the beloved husband of Eva Almquist-Ringus for 23 years.
Preceding him in death were his grandparents; parents; son, Paul III; and his ex-wife, Claudia Hutchison.
Paul touched the lives of many people with his sense of humor, his love of antique cars and going to auctions with his friend J.R. Wilkerson and daughter Laurie and his collecting of things because "some day (he) might need it."
Surviving are brother, Barry of Loveland, Colorado; sons, Duane (Alice), Vincent and Jack (Darlene); daughters, Kim, Sheryl, April, Laurie and Sonja (Bryan); granddaughters, Jessica (Austin), Jennifer, Morgan, Amanda, Lacy Amanda, Christina, Autumn, Kelly and Beth; grandsons, Eric, Aaron, Benjamin, Guy and Jessie; nephews, Mike and Jimmy; and 15 great-grandchildren.
He also will be missed by his friend, J.R. Wilkerson.
Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life at 4 p.m., Jan. 8 at American Legion Post 35. The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Susitna Valley American Legion Post 35 for its Kitchen Fund.
Beyers Funeral Home, Leesburg, Fla., cared for the family.
Paula Leigh Butcher-Bliss
Wasilla resident Paula Leigh Butcher-Bliss, 69, died Jan. 10, 2012, at home with her loving family at her side.
Graveside services in honor of Paula will begin at 2 p.m., Jan. 16 at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery. Bishop Breshears will conduct the service. Service may be delayed due to weather; please contact Valley Funeral Home for inquiries.
Paula was born July 17, 1942, in Seattle, Wash., the daughter of Harold and Hazel (Bingham) Butcher.
Paula was a very proud and longtime Alaska resident who enjoyed sewing, gardening, bird watching, her family and pets. She and her family were among the first to travel the Alaska Highway in 1946. Paula attended the Quonset Hut Elementary School in 1948 and graduated from Anchorage’s West High in 1960.
“Words can do little justice to the foundation our ‘Great Paula’ gave to our family, ” her family wrote. “Her incredible strength, unconditional love and dedication throughout her life made her a great mentor for all who knew her. One cannot think of her without hearing her beautiful laugh and cheerful voice, thinking about the kindness and uplifting support she constantly gave. Her prayers and immeasurable faith was the umbrella in the stormy world in which we live. Our mother, grandmother, greatest friend and confidant will be truly missed and forever loved.”
Paula was preceded in death by her mother, Hazel C. Butcher; father, Harold J. Butcher; and Harold C. Bliss.
She is survived by her son, Wyatt Matthew Bliss; daughter, Leigh Miller; granddaughter, Jennifer Leigh Miller of Spokane, Wash.; granddaughter, Heather Miller-Bailey of Palmer; great-granddaughter, Emma Christine Bailey; brother, David Butcher of Anchorage; and brother, Darwin Butcher of La Conner, Wash.
The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.
