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Orville Hartley Phillips
Former central Kenai Peninsula resident Orville Hartley Phillips died Monday, April 2, 2001, from cancer at his home in Wasilla. He was 81.
Visitation was held Thursday at Valley Funeral Home.
Mr. Phillips was born Dec. 28, 1919, in Ogden, Utah. He completed nine years of education and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he served in France and Italy.
Following World War II, he took up farming in Montana until 1948. He then moved his family to Livingston, Mont., where he worked in law enforcement, railroads and other farming activities until 1956. In 1959 he came to Alaska to work in the just opening oil fields in Cook Inlet. The experience of the oil patch eventually led him to a career as a contract welder.
Of all his pursuits, welding was a job that truly challenged and rewarded his potential and creative talent. He worked all across Alaska on oil rigs and in drilling yards during the boom of the 1960s and 1970s.
"All of the old-timers in the Soldotna area remember him rumbling past in his old Dodge or light blue 'Jimmy', squatted down from the weight of the old Lincoln welder and all of his tools. One of his final contract jobs as a welder was to build a placer mining trommel used for extracting gold from the rich gravel of Alaska.
"Once again the urge to move called him and he decided to take a gamble with Lady Luck and try his hand at placer mining. His endless hours of reading the likes of Robert Service and others that so romanticized the gold rush days, no doubt played a role in this decision. After constructing a sophisticated system and purchasing equipment, he and much of his family worked creeks near Healy, Paxson and Summit Lake during the early '80s, " his family said.
As a young man, his passion was horses in Montana. Late in middle age, boating and fishing Kachemak Bay were his prime interests. Later in life he took up gold mining.
"He assured us all that he had completed a full journey in life, 'I have done more things than most people have read about.'
"His laughter and his yarns were so genuine and so animated that everyone in the room got caught up in his amusement. His constant tinkering habits and inquisitive nature had him always fiddling with things trying to figure out how they worked and what improvements were needed. He never met a person he didn't like and would always go out of his way to help anyone.
"Phil had fond memories of all his family and close friends. One of his most remarkable abilities was to catch a nap in a matter of minutes. He would be wide awake one moment and snoring the tea cups out of the hutch the next. His ability to share his unconditional love and laughter will always be remembered, " his family said.
He is survived are his wife of 59 years, Esther I. (Les) Phillips; sister, Betty Kale, of Billings, Mont.; sons and their wives Tom and Lynn of Willow and Alan and Billie Jean of Soldotna; grandchildren Eylene Phillips of California, Michelle Jacobson and Maerene Taylor of Anchorage, and Roger Phillips of Soldotna; and great-grandchildren Jessica, John, Owen, Hunter, Ashton and Dalton.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 East Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Wasilla, AK, 99654.
James Riley Whitcomb
Soldotna resident James Riley Whitcomb died Monday, April 2, 2001, at the Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna. He was 74.
A memorial service is planned for Sunday at the Kenai Christian Church at 4:30 p.m. Ministers Robert DeVolld and David Higginbothan will officiate.
Mr. Whitcomb was born in Quinlan, Okla., on Aug. 19, 1926, on the homestead of parents Jesse and Lydia Whitcomb. He attended high school in Mooreland, Okla., before joining the Army during World War II. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 10, 1946 attaining the rank of corporal.
After the service he worked at Beech Aircraft Corporation in Wichita, Kan. It was during this time that he met and married his wife, Betty, a medical technologist. In April 1959, he and Betty came to Alaska to pursue their dream of homesteading.
They settled on the Kenai Peninsula near Funny River Road, where they built a home and raised their daughter Rebecca. Jim's nephew Orville later joined the family. During the 1960s he worked various construction jobs, including surveying the highway from Soldotna to Homer, construction of the Funny River Bridge and laying pipe in Cook Inlet. He retired from Amoco Oil Company, where he worked as an on-shore operator.
"Jim was extremely proud to have come from a homestead in Oklahoma and continue that family heritage here in Alaska. Although he worked construction and in the oil industry, he really loved the land and was proud to be a farmer at heart, " the family said.
He was a longtime member of the Kenai Christian Church, past president of the American Legion, and an active supporter of the Soldotna Senior Center. He enjoyed hunting, pool, playing cards, and spending time with his grandson Stephen, with whom he shared a love of sports.
On March 11 of this year, he celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife, Betty, by his side, along with more than 40 family members and friends.
"Family, friends and faith were what Jim valued most, and he felt particularly blessed that day, " the family said.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Lydia Whitcomb; nephew, Orville Whitcomb; brothers Glenn, Wayne, Denzil, Gorden, Keith and Tommy Whitcomb; sister, Maude Lockhart; and half-brother, George Bennett.
He is survived his wife, Betty of Soldotna; daughter, Rebecca Cronkhite and grandson Stephan Cronkhite of Kenai; sister, Oletta Morris; brother, Harold Whitcomb, of Oklahoma; sisters-in-law and their husbands Barbara and Robert Doan, of Wichita, Kan., and Jacqueline and Richard Brazill, of Towanda, Kan.; and many nieces, nephews and friends, including special family, Gary and Mary Horvath, their daughters Melissa, Courtney, Julianne, and Amy of Funny River.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Soldotna Senior Center, 197 Park Street, Soldotna, AK 99669.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Junetta F. Call
Junetta F. Call died Thursday, April 5, 2001, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna, following a long battle with emphysema and cancer. She was 74.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 10046, at 134 N. Birch St. in Soldotna, with lunch following the service.
Mrs. Call was born Jan. 8, 1927, in Missouri to the late Wilkie and Vera Morlan. On Feb. 25, 1946, she married Edward Call, and as a military family, they traveled extensively during the next 19 years. They moved to the Kenai Peninsula in 1966.
Mrs. Call did sales and secretarial work and was a postal carrier, but she was best known for her volunteer work with the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Heritage Place, the Veterans Center, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Ladies Auxiliary.
In addition to being a member of the ladies of the Moose and the Fleet Reserve Auxiliary, Mrs. Call was a charter member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post No. 10046 Ladies Auxiliary. She was president six times, holding many other offices throughout the years. She was chair of several different department programs and received recognition for many hours of volunteer work.
Her hobbies included crafts, reading, gardening and TV game shows. She also loved to travel.
"Mom loved get-togethers with the family, especially celebrating Christmas with her grandkids and summer barbecues, " her family said. "She will be deeply missed by her family and many friends."
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Ed; daughter and son-in-law, Sherrie and Charlie Murray of Reno, Nev.; son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Cathy Call of Soldotna; daughter, Junetta Lynn DeLong of Soldotna; grandchildren Russell, Jason, Julie, Damon, Renee, Justin, Jamie Lee, Andy, Kristina, Lance, Faith, Jackie, Roger, Gary Lee and Vanitta; great-grandchildren Sherry, Samantha, Joshua, Brendon and Adriana; sister, Sonja; and brothers Frank and Don and their wives, all of California.
In lieu of flowers, and in accord with Mrs. Call's wishes, the family requests memorial donations by made to the Hospice of the Central Peninsula, 35477 Kenai Spur Highway, or to the Cancer Society.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Arthur L. Couch
Former Kenai resident Arthur L. Couch died Friday, April 6, 2001, at Cloud Co. Health Center in Concordia, Kan. He was 82.
Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, and the funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg, Kan. The Rev. Mark Simonds will officiate. Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Phillipsburg.
Mr. Couch was born Feb. 13, 1919, in Phillipsburg to Moody S. and Laura Lee (LaRue) Couch. He married Darlene B. Veeh Feb. 18, 1940, in Phillipsburg. His occupation was a pipeline welder.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Darlene.
He is survived by his son, Frank A. Couch, of Soldotna; daughters Carman Davis of Concordia, Carol Ann Livingston of Mesquite, Nev., and Darlene Gregory of Glenrock, Wyo.; and six grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were made by the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg.
Albert E. Patterson
Kenai resident Albert E. Patterson died Thursday, April 5, 2001, at his home. He was 77.
Memorial services will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Eagles Aerie No. 3525 on the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai.
Mr. Patterson was born May 6, 1923, in Lafayette, Ind., to Ester M. and Stewart P. Patterson. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in World War II from 1942 to 1946, and later served in the U.S. Coast Guard, based in Seattle. He prospected in Washington state, Oregon, California and Alaska, and made Alaska his home in the early 1960s.
He was an avid outdoorsman, loved playing cards, rippies and the company of his good friends. Mr. Patterson was a member of the Elks, Eagles, Moose, American Legion, Legion of Foreign Wars and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
"Well known for his famous 'growl' and his kind performances as Santa Claus for many Kenai and Soldotna children, he will be forever missed by all who knew him, " his family said.
Mr. Patterson was preceded in death by his parents, Ester M. and Stewart P. Patterson; brother, Bob Patterson; and wife, Sherrie Patterson.
He is survived by daughters Bobbie and Angel Serena; sons Steve Byrum and Ricky Serena; and grandson, Christopher Hayes Byrum, all of Anchorage.
In lieu of flowers, Mr. Patterson would rather donations be made to an organization of the donor's choice.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Mary K. Bickel
Kenai resident Mary Bickel died Wednesday, April 18, 2001, at her home. She was 58.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai. Pastor Randy Parshall will officiate at the service.
Mrs. Bickel was born on June 10, 1942, in Rapid City, S. D. She lived in Nebraska until 1968, when she moved to Jetmore, Kan. She resided there until moving to Spearville, Kan., in 1973. She moved to Kenai in 1983.
She received a registered nursing degree in Dodge City, Kan., in 1976. Mrs. Bickel worked as a registered nurse in Kansas and Alaska. In Alaska, she worked in home health care and at Heritage Place in Soldotna. She retired from Heritage Place in 1998.
She was a member of the Lutheran faith. She also worked at the Family History Center in Soldotna.
"Mom was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She had a tough childhood, but she turned it around and gave her family a great gift. She had lots of interests such as quilting, genealogy, photography, camping, reading and playing games. She also loved the outdoors, especially Alaska. Although she had many interests, her family was most important. We could always count on her for any need, big or small. We will miss her very much, but we know that her love, compassion, and genuineness will impact her family for generations to come, " the family said.
Mrs. Bickel was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, William and Donald Hauff, and sister, Alma Mead.
Mrs. Bickel is survived by her husband, Dale L. Bickel, of Kenai; sons and daughters-in-law; Doug and Carol Bickel, of Albuquerque, N. M., Greg and Lynda Bickel, of Engelwood, Colo., Jon and Laura Bickel, of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; daughter and son-in-law, Stacy and Shane McLeod, of Soldotna; grandchildren, Joshua, Jewelle and Arielle Bickel, Tyler, Amy, and Lyndsey Bickel, Elizabeth and Jacob Bickel, and Sarah and Hannah McLeod; brothers, Lloyd Hauff, of Casper, Wyo., and Harold Hauff, of Fremont, Neb.
Memorial donations may be sent to the American Heart Association, 4414 Woodland Park Ave. North, Seattle, WA 98103.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Henry Taft McGahan
Nikiski resident Henry T. McGahan died Wednesday, April 18, 2001, at his home. He was 92.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Aurora Heights Assembly of God Church on the corner of Marie and McGahan Drive in Nikiski. Pastor Rufus Tallent will officiate. Burial will be in the McGahan Cemetery. There will be a potluck following the services at the Nikiski Senior Center.
Mr. McGahan was born on Feb. 24, 1909, in Newago County, Mich. He lived in Cooks, Mich., and was a farmer. He moved to Alaska in 1961 and lived in Nikiski. He worked as a self-employed commercial fisherman until retiring in the mid-1980s.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Manistique, Mich. He loved to play cards with anyone. He loved to play any card games and loved to win. He was also an avid gardener.
"He was a self-made man. He was someone you could always count on. He was a man of his word and very devoted to all of his family, " his family said.
Mr. McGahan was preceded in death by his wives, Erva, of 55 years, and D. Luane, of 16 years; a grandson, Ricky Liston; five brothers and one sister.
He is survived by his son, Duane M. McGahan, of Nikiski; daughters, Lois M. Liston of Anchorage, Eunice L. Witalec and Joan A. McGahan both of Nikiski; grandchildren, Elton McGahan, Benny McGahan, Glen McGahan, Becky Clapper, Terri Tait, Tami Schemanski, Teresa DeHart, Charles Elliot, Robin Rogers, Rocky Seaman, Rusty Seaman and Ravin Seaman; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and his sister Ida Mae McGahan Conklin of Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Nikiski Senior Center, P.O. Box 6973, Nikiski, AK 99635.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
