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Tina Marie Beltz
Tina Marie Beltz, 32, of Belgrade, Mont., died Aug. 31, 2011.
Tina was born in Anchorage on June 19, 1979, to Thomas Beltz Jr. and Judith Koonooka. She moved to Montana three years ago and was attending Montana State University, where she was pursuing a degree in health and enhancement.
Tina was very spiritually in tune and connected to nature. Her passion for the outdoors was expressed through her love for hockey, snowboarding and fly-fishing. She learned to play hockey by tagging along to games with her older brother, Tom, and his friends. She continued to play in an adult league in Bozeman, where she coached a girls’ team as well.
While she lived in Alaska, Tina worked for Arc of Anchorage, where her compassion for others was shown through her work with people who experienced disabilities. This compassion is what brought her very large family together where she was always the life of the party.
Tina moved to Montana in 2008 and fell in love with it and all of the adventures it provided.
Preceding her in death was her paternal grandmother, Ruth Sellers; maternal grandmother, Ilene Koonooka; and her uncle, Bob Sellers.
Surviving are her parents, Thomas Jr. and Judith Beltz of Wasilla; brothers, Thomas (Abby) Beltz of Anchorage and Jack of Wasilla; sister, Johanna Koonooka of Gamble; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; her fiancée, Lisa Baker of Belgrade, Mont.; and all her friends she met along her journey whom she considered family.
A celebration of Tina’s life is at 2 p.m., Sept. 10 at the Covenant Church, 5201 Mayflower Lane, Wasilla.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tina’s name to the ASPCA, 520 8th Ave., Seventh Floor, New York, NY 10018.
Kenneth L. Higby
Kenneth L. Higby, 74, died Aug. 21, 2011, at home in Palmer of cancer.
Kenneth was born July 10, 1937, in Silver Hills, Calif. He graduated high school and moved to Alaska in 1989.
He worked on the North Slope from 1995-2003, then was a truck driver in his own truck, Kenny Transport, from 1996-2010. Kenny loved trucking and building his dream log home. He was a loving husband and a caring man who had many friends.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Higby; sons, Mark Higby of Nevada and Larry Higby of Arizona; stepdaughter, Renee Cooper of Nevada; and stepson, Edward Phay of Alaska.
Arrangements were with Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.
Thomas Andrew Davison
Talkeetna resident Thomas Andrew Davison, 66, died Aug. 24, 2011, at his home.
Graveside services are at 3 p.m., Sept. 10 at Talkeetna Cemetery with Military Honors, followed by a celebration of life potluck at the Talkeetna VFW Post.
Tom, as he was known to family and friends, was born Nov. 20, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Donald and Nina (Hubble) Davison.
He served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1968 and worked for the Good Humor Ice Cream Co. before his retirement. He moved to Alaska in 2005, settling in Talkeetna.
He was a member of the local VFW Post 3836 in Talkeetna, and enjoyed fishing and working on his computer. He also enjoyed playing board games with his family and friends.
Surviving are wife, Priscilla of Talkeetna; sons, Thomas Andrew Davison Jr. and Timothy Allen Davison, both of Brockton, Mass.; sons, Joseph Thomas Davison of Clearwater, Fla., and Robert Andrew Davison of Talkeetna; daughters, Dixie Caskey of Orlando, Fla., Mary Ann Kennedy of Melrose, Fla., Pamela Jean Davison of Brockton, Mass., and Judy Lynn Brandrick of Stark, Fla.; 19 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Tom’s family will remember him as a loving father, mentor and guide whose humor included ridiculous jokes, one-liners and a wit that allowed for fantastic and wonderful times. “His unconditional love and warmth will never be forgotten, ” his family said.
Valley Funeral Home and Crematory of Wasilla cared for the family.
Patti Lee Williams
Patti Lee Williams, 58, was born June 12, 1953, to Gaylord “Mac” and Marvel McCurdy in Winton, Minn. Patti died Aug. 20, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer from a pulmonary problem.
Patti loved Alaska and arrived via a DC-10 with her husband, Byron, and their 1-year-old son, Todd, on Dec. 4, 1974. Their daughter, Tara was born on June 1, 1976, at Providence Medical Center in Anchorage.
Patti and Byron moved to their dream property at Edgerton Subdivision at the base of Hatcher Pass. The family remains on the property today in their dream home.
Patti was a loving person who had time and love for everyone. She also nurtured her garden, plants and animals.
Patti worked at the Alaska Equine and Small Animal Hospital for 14 years where she started a week after their son, Todd, passed. She loved her work with animals and their caregivers.
Preceding her in death was her son, Todd Paul Williams, on Oct. 12, 1997; her father, “Mac” McCurdy on June 25, 2010; and her favorite auntie, “Lala” Esther Wall.
She is survived by her lifelong love of 40 years, Byron; daughter and son-in-law, Tara and Mike Randolph; and granddaughter, Kaylah, all of Hatcher Pass. She’s also survived by her mother, Marvel McCurdy of Golden, Colo.; sister, Micki McCurdy of Lakewood, Colo.; mother-in-law, Sylvia Williams; sister-in-law, Sandra Fisher of Apache Junction, Ariz.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul and Carrol Palmer of Wasilla; brother-in-law Mark Williams of Anchorage; uncle and aunt, Max and Alice McCurdy of California; uncle, Don Harm of Iowa; and many nieces and nephews in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, California and Oklahoma.
There will be a celebration of life at Church on the Rock, Mile 45.5 Parks Highway, Wasilla, at 1 p.m., Sept. 1. A reception will follow.
The family would honor your presence and sharing.
Arrangements were entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory.
Saundra Dillon
Saundra Dillon, 64, died Sept. 1, 2011, at home in Palmer.
Arrangements are with Legacy Funeral Home Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.
John Adam Schwartz
Wasilla resident John Adam Schwartz, 88, died at Mat-Su Regional Hospital with his loving wife at his side.
Contact Valley Funeral Home for service information.
John was born Oct. 7, 1922, in New York, N.Y., son of Adam and Elizabeth (Mahr) Schwartz.
John graduated from Irvington High School in Irvington, N.J.; and later enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. John was a World War II Veteran and served his country at Guadalcanal SW. Pacific. He was recalled for the Korean War. During his service John obtained the rank of Technical Sergeant and received the following medals: Asiatic-Pacific, American Theater, World War II Victory, and Good Conduct. As a member of the First Aircraft Unit occupying the Russell Islands, Solomon Island area, he displayed commendable spirit while under adverse conditions.
John worked as Station Chief for the DEW Line at Point Barrow; Dairy Farmer (full-filling a life-long dream) in Bloomville, N.Y.; trans-Alaska pipeline; Power Plant Operator for the DEW Line in Tin City and Cold Bay. John later retired from Local 302, Operating Engineers in 1984.
As an Alaskan resident John lived in Anchorage, Homer, Palmer and Wasilla.
John enjoyed carpentry and built his own house and barn. He also enjoyed collecting stamps and coins, gardening and researching his genealogy.
The family wrote “Once a Marine, always a Marine. We were married 60 years. He was strict, but a loving husband and dad.”
“Dad loved the ocean, and some of my fondest memories are fishing with my Dad and my kids on his boat in Homer. Dad had a whimsical side, once while camping near Trapper Creek with Mount McKinley in full view Dad said, ‘Let’s fly into McKinley.’ The next thing I know we’re in Talkeetna getting into a Bush plane. He flew us up to the Ruth Glacier where we enjoyed the rest of the day.”
John is preceded in death by his brothers, Michael and Joseph Schwartz; daughter-in-law, Shirley Lake Schwartz; and granddaughter, Devon Angel Schwartz.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Frances P. Schwartz of Wasilla; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Jessica, Daniel and Ruth, Robert and Donna; grandchildren, Jennifer, Bethany, Gavin, Logan, Kristen, Tyler, Cullen and Corissa; and great-grandson, Jaxon.
Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family.
James Michael Campbell
James Michael Campbell, 44, died unexpectedly Aug. 14, 2011, in Talkeetna.
Known to his friends and family as Jim or Jimmy, he lived his life on his own terms. Born in the backseat of a Lincoln Continental, Jim never settled for a conventional existence. He loved to hunt and fish, earning the nickname “Bent Rod.” When the kings weren’t running, he wasn’t panning for gold and he had enough venison, Jim worked laying tile or helping friends with cutting wood, home remodeling and as a wildlife and hunting guide.
Living a subsistence lifestyle, he read Western novels by lantern light and cooked on a woodstove. It was a life he enjoyed — basking in the beauty of Alaska’s great outdoors.
Jim is survived by his mother, Sylvia Ray; father, James (Judy) Campbell; sons, James Thomas (J.T.) Warner and Michael Campbell; sisters, Arlene (Kevin) Walsh and Tammy (David) Stachowicz; granddaughter, Ryleigh Campbell; very special long-term friend, Ginny Lyman; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is 4 p.m., Aug. 27 at the H&H Lounge in Talkeetna. Services in Michigan are on Aug. 26.
Arrangements were by the Cremation Society of Alaska.
Michelle Marie (Thorpe) Iloilo
Former Valley resident Michelle Marie (Thorpe) Iloilo, 33, died Aug. 21, 2011, in Anchorage.
Memorial services are at 6 p.m., Aug. 27 at ChangePoint Church, 6689 ChangePoint Dr. in Anchorage. Pastor Keith Lauwers will officiate.
Michelle Marie Iloilo was born Jan. 30, 1978, in Soldotna to Wayne Curtis and Mary Elizabeth (Althoff) Thorpe. She graduated from Dimond High School in 1996, and later attended Oriental Healing Arts School of Massage Therapy. Michelle married Iaseko Iloilo on June 8, 2001. She was employed as a courier with FedEx and was a mother of two lovely daughters. Michelle was a member of ChangePoint Church.
Her family wrote: “Michelle brought love and laughter to all with whom she had contact. She gave generously of herself to all who needed her and her passion for life inspired everyone around her. Her bright spirit and big heart will be sorely missed by her family and friends. Michelle, you have left a permanent mark on our hearts, and we will always love you and long for the day we meet again.”
Michelle is survived by her husband, Iaseko; daughters, Angel and Malia, all of Anchorage; mother, Mary Thorpe of Thornton, Colo.; father, Wayne Thorpe of Anchorage; sister, Shari Lanning of Littleton, Colo.; and brothers, Michael Thorpe of Arvada, Colo., and Curtis Thorpe of Thornton, Colo.
Memorials can be sent to the Iloilo family at 9550 Emerald St., Anchorage, AK 99502.
Vernon Alex Henricksen
Palmer resident Vernon Alex Henricksen, 83, died Aug. 19, 2011, at home.
Services are at 4 p.m., Aug. 23 at the Palmer Masonic Lodge.
Vernon was born Oct. 29, 1927, in Mount Vernon, N.Y. He graduated from Oceanside High School in Long Island, N.Y., and attended two years of college at New York State University and the University of Alaska Anchorage. In 1954, Vern married his wife of 56 years, Ruth Crane Van De Bogart, in Woodstock, N.Y.
Vern moved to Alaska in 1959, living in Fairbanks for four years, Anchorage for 28 years, Ketchikan for a year and Palmer for 12 years. He served in the U.S. Army, worked for Al Williams Insurance, Alaska Pipeline — Liven Good Camp and Angelus Memorial Park. Vernon retired in 1995.
He was very active in the community with the Masonic Lodge, Knight Templars, Yorkrite, Alaska Shrine, VFW, American Legion, DAV and AMORC. Vern was a licensed HAM operator — WL7JU-Motley Group. Vern donated thousands of hours and stuffed animals to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. He loved to fish, read and play a multitude of wind instruments. Vern loved to participate in the oriental band and visit the children’s ward at several different hospitals playing music for them.
Vern is survived by his wife, Ruth; daughter, Ruth H. Mazzella and son-in-law Silvio of Wasilla; son, Duane D. Henricksen and daughter-in-law Linda of Aurora, Ill.; daughter, Julia L. West and son-in-law Curtis of Tooele, Utah; grandchildren, Gary, Joseph, Jesse, Caleb, Joshua, Rachel, Devin, Heidi, Laura, Leanna, Veronica, Julia and David; and great-grandchildren, Anthony, Tegien and Michael.
He was preceded in death by his son, Kevin K. Henricksen; and daughter Veronica L. Henricksen.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alaska Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, 1730 E. Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage, AK 99501.
