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James Reuter
Wasilla resident James Reuter, 91, died at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, Aug. 8, 2011, with friends and family at his side.
A memorial mass is at 11 a.m., Aug. 13 at Sacred Heart Parish in Wasilla with Father Scott Garrett celebrating. Inurnment will take place in Illinois at a later date.
James was born Aug. 25, 1919, to Frank and Evelyn Reuter in Kankakee, Ill. Except for a stint in California during World War II, where he worked on production of the P51 Mustang, he resided in Kankakee until his retirement from the family business, Henry Reuter and Sons. He attended the University of Illinois and was a member of Zeta Psi fraternity. He was actively involved with the American Heart Association, Kankakee Men’s Bowling Association, Illinois State Sheetmetal Association and was a past Exalted Ruler of the Kankakee Elks Lodge. James was a huge Chicago White Sox fan.
While in California, he met and married Wilma Sanborn. They returned to Kankakee and raised a daughter. At age 70, he retired to New Port Richey, Fla., with his second wife, Jackie Preston. There, he enjoyed sun, sand and especially golf, until an accident brought him to Alaska to live with his daughter in 2002.
He loved Valley Performing Arts productions, having lunch at the Wasilla Senior Center, helping with 4-H, being a guest patient for the CNA students at the Alaska Job Corps Center, and most recently attending the Palmer Adult Day Center.
Surviving are his daughter, Janyce Webb and partner, Michael Wind of Wasilla; grandchildren, Jillyan (Keith) Webb Hendickson of Big Lake and Travis Webb of Denver, Colo.; brother, Frank (Kathleen) Reuter of Fort Worth, Texas, and their children, Mark (Diane) Reuter, Stephen (Barbara) Reuter, Anne (Robert) Bradford, Kathy (John) Murzyn; special family/friends, Lara, Brandon and Emma Thompson, Jason, Kayla and Delanie Wind, Charlene and KC Christensen, Grandma Char, Brad Webb and his Sacred Heart Church family.
James was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie; and nephew, Christopher Reuter.
Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Agency or Hospice.
Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel.
Gary Gene Gregory
Gary Gene Gregory, 62, died peacefully in Hospice care in Belton, S.C., Aug. 11, 2011.
Gary was born April 21, 1949, in Newport, Wash., as the youngest son of Walter and Betty Gregory. He graduated from Priest River High School in 1967.
Gary joined the U.S. Air Force soon after. His passion for the flight industry led him to the Aleutian Islands, Cold Bay with Reeve Aleutian Airways. Gary experienced many hours flying the famous Grumman Goose mail plane that serviced mail delivery and cargo service to many of the Aleutian chain destinations. He also worked with the fishing industry at Cold Bay for Peter Pan Seafoods. Gary spent many hours flying as a representative for Peter Pan Seafoods, flying fish and injured victims of the fishing industry to Anchorage or Seattle. After leaving that industry, his passion for airplanes guided him to be a partner in creating Aero Twin of Alaska, the dealer for Cessna airplanes and parts.
After developing health problems in the late 1980s, Gary lived near Talkeetna in his cozy, rustic cabin off of the Talkeetna Spur Highway. His beloved dog, Dummy, who was his constant companion and exceptionally smart, is buried there. Dummy held a very special place in Gary’s heart.
In 1996, Gary moved to Belton, S.C., to be near his very dear friends, Jo and Bob Evatt. Upon arriving, he acquired four surrogate Hawthorne sisters, who loved him like a brother, and he enjoyed many happy times with them. While in South Carolina, Gary developed a new hobby in computers and became very proficient.
Gary left many friends wherever he lived and worked because of his generous and helpful attitude.
Gary is survived by his father, Walter Gregory of Newport, Wash.; brother, Jerry and wife Gwen Gregory of Sunshine; niece and grandniece, Sarah Townsend and Alex Balivet-Brown of Seattle, Wash.; aunt, Louise Peterson of Spokane, Wash.; aunt, Bonnie Mohn of Longmont, Colo., other family in Colorado; very special friends, Jo Evatt, Sue Trotter, Cora Roehm and Dora Bobson of Anderson County, S.C., who dearly and lovingly cared for him during his illness; and many friends in Talkeetna, Sunshine and Trapper Creek and Anderson County, S.C.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Gregory; and cousin, Joey Peterson.
Gary and his playful sense of humor will be missed very much by his family and all those who knew him.
A graveside service is at 1 p.m., Aug. 18 at the Newport cemetery. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at Sherman-Knapp.com. A separate memorial was Aug. 15 in Belton, S.C.
Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Newport, Wash., is in charge of arrangements.
Jodie Don Pool
Palmer resident Jodie Don Pool, 66, died at home Aug. 6, 2011, with his loving wife and daughters at his side.
At Jodie’s request, no services are planned. His ashes will be scattered in Alaska.
Jodie was born Oct. 17, 1944, to Edgar and Zula (Franklin) Pool in Littlefield, Texas. Prior to being a Palmer resident, Jodie lived in North Pole. Jodie was a Vietnam veteran and retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service to his country. He was a three-time foreign exchange parent and opened his home to Maral, Anja and Elena. Jodie enjoyed reading, the outdoors, cooking, traveling and he loved the Dallas Cowboys.
The family wrote: “He was a generous and kind man who loved his family, was loved in return and lived life to the fullest. He will be deeply missed and long remembered by family and friends.”
Surviving are his wife, Lyn Pool of Palmer; daughters, Vera, Sonja, Tanja and Sandra; sons-in-law Jim and Marty; granddaughters, Brandi, Kelsey, Jennifer, Lindsey and Natalie; grandsons, Tyler, Jordan, Matthew and Chase; and many extended family members and friends.
Memorial donations in memory of Jodie may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (stjude.org) or the charity of your choice.
Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family.
Stacy Lynne Prudence
Longtime Wasilla resident Stacy Lynne Prudence, 38, died at her home July 29, 2011.
Memorial service in honor of Stacy is at 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 14, at Palmer Elks Lodge No. 1842, 2600 N. Barry’s Resort Drive, Wasilla.
Stacy was born April 21, 1973, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the daughter of Ted and Bonita (Campbell) Prudence.
Stacy graduated from Wasilla High School in 1991 and continued her education at Mat-Su Community College. She worked at the Settler’s Bay Golf Course snack bar for more 10 years and was promoted to manager before leaving. She also cooked at Great Bear Brewing, Sully’s, The Mug Shot, Settler’s Bay Lodge and was employed at The Grape Tap at the time of her passing.
Stacy loved to golf, fish and had a passion for music, playing the clarinet in honors band at Wasilla High School.
“Stacy has a very large extended family in Utah, as well as in Alaska, ” the family wrote. “Most of all, Stacy loved her children.”
From the song “If I Die Young” by the Band Perry: “If I die young, bury me in satin. Lay me down on a bed of roses. Sink me in the river at dawn. Send me away with the words of a love song … the sharp knife of a short life.”
She is survived by her spouse, Elmer Prater II of Clarksville, Tenn.; daughter, Chloe McGehee of Wasilla; son, Ethan Prater of Wasilla; brother, Sean Prudence; sister-in-law, April Prudence; and nephew, Forest Prudence, all of Bothell, Wash.; half-brother, Gregory Yeates; sister-in-law, Lisa Yeates; niece, Isabella Yeates; and nephew, Ethan Yeates, all of West Jordan, Utah; and father, Ted Prudence and mother, Bonita Prudence, both of Wasilla.
Preceding her in death was her companion and father of her daughter, Eric McGehee.
Memorial donations in Stacy’s honor may be made to the food bank or homeless shelter of your choice.
Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family.
Kenneth William Nichols
Kenneth William Nichols, 68, died July 26, 2011, surrounded by his family at his home in Palmer after a courageous battle with MDS and acute leukemia.
A celebration was held at his home in the weeks prior to his death. He wanted a celebration of his life with his family and friends while he was here to be a part of the celebration.
“Ken’s humor, humility, intelligence, insight and accomplishments were and are an inspiration for his children and the many who had the privilege of knowing him, ” his family wrote. “As we mourn his loss and grieve as a family, we also celebrate his life and legacy.”
Kenneth was born Jan. 5, 1943, in Gouverneur, N.Y., the only child of Kenneth Hallie Nichols, of Ogdensburg, N.Y., and Myrtle Louise Santimaw of Parishville, N.Y.
Kenny was an ironworker by trade who began his career in New York and spent a significant amount of time in San Francisco, Salt Lake City, the North Slope and Hawaii. He was a member of Alaska Ironworkers Union 751 and retired in January 1998 after 30 years. Before his retirement, he had worked in most of the states in the United States.
Kenny married his wife of 41 years, Rosemary Ann Slate, also of Gouverneur, who survives him. Kenneth and Rosemary shared a love that was admired by all. As best friends, they loved taking long drives, cooking and baking for family and friends, as well as spending time with their children and grandchildren together.
He is also survived by sons, Shannon William Nichols of Delta Junction, Raymond Hala Nichols of Farmington, Minn., Jason Michael Nichols of University Place, Wash., and Kenneth Richard Nichols of Palmer; daughters, Sandra Lynn (Nichols) Ryan of Brewerton, N.Y., and Wanda Ann (Nichols) Fouts of Palmer; grandchildren, Shawna Ryan, Shane Ryan, Timothy Ryan Jr., Frank Ryan, Kayelayn Nichols, Hannah Nichols, Shannon Nichols Jr., Joshua Kalilikane, Kelsey Nichols, Kara Nichols and Jason Nichols, Jr.; and great-granddaughter, Aaliyah Hall.
He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Hallie Nichols; mother, Myrtle Louise Santimaw; and daughter, Belva Maria Nichols.
Teresa Mazola Dorman
Teresa Mazola Dorman, 88, died July 29, 2011, at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers home in Palmer. Teresa was born Nov. 17, 1922, in Hemrod, N.Y. She moved to Alaska in 1953 and resided in Palmer.
She worked as a cook at numerous places, including the Butte Roadhouse, Green Acres and Valley Hotel. She retired in 1989 at the Eielson AFB Class VI Store.
Teresa loved playing bingo, neon bowling, crossword puzzles and country music, which played nonstop on her radio. She also loved Friday night pinochle with her friends at the Palmer Senior Center.
“Terri had a kind, loving heart, and sense of humor, ” her family wrote. “She was known to most as Mom Terri, with a feisty personality and a twinkle in her eye.”
Surviving are her daughter, Linda Woodfall of Palmer; stepson, Kenny Dorman of Dunn, N.C.; granddaughter, Angelena Chiritree; great-granddaughter Jade Lyn Chiritree; and special friend she considered as her second daughter, “J.P” Jemella Swanson of Palmer.
Preceding her in death were husband, Charles Dorman; son, Charles Chiritree; sister, Lillian; and brothers, James, Frank and Ollie Deming.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Hospice or the Palmer Senior Center.
Arrangements are with Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.
Adrian Thomas (Qaamuna-Isaamaluk) Spindler
Palmer resident Adrian Thomas (Qaamuna-Isaamaluk) Spindler, 19, was born Dec. 9, 1991, and died July 4, 2011.
Adrian was born in Anchorage and lived in the Alaska communities of Deering and Kotzebue before returning to Anchorage in the mid-1990s. He became a Palmer resident in 1999. Adrian attended Colony High School his freshman year, and then spent the next three years attending and graduating from Chemawa Indian School, Salem, Ore.
Adrian found a deep interest in the Lord and became a devoted Christian. He studied hard, and of his own accord joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2010.
Funeral services in honor of Adrian are at 3:30 p.m., Monday, July 11, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Colony Ward in Palmer. Bishop David Pierce will officiate. A visitation is planned a half-hour prior to services in the Relief Society room at the church. A reception is planned at the church following the services.
Adrian was ever mindful of the social ills of drugs and alcohol that he witnessed ravish many youth his age. Adrian did not drink or became involved with drugs, and did not have altercations with law enforcement. He said those things were “stupid.”
Adrian was a kind-hearted young man who was quick to make friends with people of all ages who could make people laugh and sought to avoid conflict. He had a strong sense of family values and was always trying to find ways to do things as a family.
Adrian recently informed his parents that he had a child on the way and was extremely happy to start his own family with his girlfriend, Ariel Martin, who is four months pregnant with their child.
Adrian loved and cared for people very deeply. He always had time to help people, he showed this by volunteering his time and services to charities such as the Al Aska Shriners, Scottish Rite and the Mat-Su Sea Hawkers organizations that raise money to help children in need. He also enjoyed riding four-wheelers, subsistence fishing and berry picking with his mother, Peggy, and papa, Tom.
He was an avid Seattle Seahawks fan and season ticket holder, attending many games in Seattle.
Adrian will be loved and missed deeply by his family and friends.
Adrian is survived by his parents, Peggy and Thomas Spindler; girlfriend and mother of his unborn child, Ariel Martin, of Sacaton, Ariz.; grandparents, Harry and Alice Karnum; uncles, Alfred II, Harry Jr. and wife Cynthia, and Jack. He is also survived by his aunts, Winona, Mamie, Maxine and her husband Connell Barr, Sandra and her husband Dickie Moto; great-grandmother Della Spindler of Plains, Mont.; and grandparents, Clinton and Dorothy Spindler. He is also survived by his uncles, Clint and wife Marie, Mike and wife Jennifer, David and wife Josie; many cousins, Joyce, Chris, Mija, Allie Pearl, William, monster twin Dickie Joe, Herbie, William II, Gilford, Dean, Connie Peggy, Ookak, Alfred, Harry, Arthur, Traci, Stacey, Jack Jr., Agatha, Augustina, Mario, Maymie, Josh, Kaylynn, Nicole, Connor, Luke, Dawson and Jolie Day.
He is also survived by best friends Colton, Ryan and Lucille Wright, and many more friends too numerous to name.
Valley Funeral Home and Crematory Wasilla cared for the family.
