Edna Bernice Fisk

Edna Bernice Fisk of Homer, Alaska passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, June 28, 2015. 
Edna was born in Melita, which is now Sterling, Mich., in 1920.  As a young woman, Edna was swept off her feet by serviceman Toras Fisk, and they were wed in 1943. Toras was the love of her life and they began a wonderful journey together.
As adventurous “Pioneers of Alaska,” arriving in Anchorage in 1958, the Fisks finally settled in Homer in 1978. Edna and Toras — once debuted on the Victory Gardens program — built and maintained their personal paradise on East End Road overlooking Kachemak Bay.
Edna had a love of gardening, which showed in the many beautiful flowers surrounding her home. They enjoyed many activities together such as snowmachining, traveling, bowling, volunteering and many other community events over the years.
Edna had a passion for baking delicious pies from scratch and even sold them at a restaurant in Seldovia. The proceeds went to the American Heart Association. She loved to entertain guests, and always had a hearty meal ready at the end of the day. Her amazing sewing skills produced many unique and colorful recycled rugs enjoyed by many.
She was a cancer survivor, a “Relay for Life” supporter and a strong advocate for the American Heart Association. Edna’s teacup poodle and loyal companion, Puffin, brought her many joyous moments and remained by her side throughout her final journey.
Edna will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all, especially her husband, having been happily married for 72 years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Homer. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai. 

David Lee Guetschow

David “Digger” Lee Guetschow, 70, on June 22, passed on to the realm which awaits everyone of us, sooner or later. He would be touched by the tears shed for him, but would rather that he was an inspiration to us to live our lives to the fullest, to enjoy each and every moment with our loved ones, to celebrate this blessing we temporarily possess called existence.
Born Oct. 5, 1944, in Oshkosh, Wisc. to Rudolph and Lenora (Buck) Guetschow, he was the third of five children. He showed a strong interest in music — as did his two younger brothers — which became a lifelong passion. He loved tinkering with and riding his Indian motorcycle.
In 1965, David and Mary Kay Dunn were married; a union that was blessed by a son, Eric.
A decade later, he met Sharon Brooks in Oshkosh. They moved to Alaska and were married in Homer in 1976 by Brother Asaiah. They had three sons; Brooks, Merlyn and Ruben. Here, he discovered prospecting and boating, and settled in as a fitting character of the “Cosmic Hamlet by the Sea.”
Digger had an open heart and an open door. He saw all people as equals and trusted and cared, without anyone needing to first prove it worthy. He was — in turn — loved by many.
David was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gary and Steve; and beloved son Merlyn. He is survived by his sister, Betty Litjens of Oshkosh; brother Daniel Guerschow of Southport, N.C.; son, Eric Rennert of Oshkosh; sons, Brooks and Ruden Guetschow of Homer; grandchildren Jozie, Brady and Bryce Rennert of Oshkosh, and grandchildren Erik and Izabela Guerschow of Holic, Slovakia.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be directed to the Homer Food Pantry.

Lee Roy Glover

Longtime Anchor Point homesteader, Mr. Lee Roy Glover, 84, died Thursday, July 2, 2015 at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer.
Memorial services were held Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at The Anchor Point Church of the Nazarene. 
Glover was born Dec.14, 1930, to Lee Adam and Maud (Beaty) Glover in Wilder, Tenn. He graduated high school and furthered his education by attending and receiving a BS degree in agriculture from Arizona State University. 
In 1961, he moved to Alaska, where he became a Homesteader in Anchor Point. He had a sawmill business on his homestead for many years. Lee was a member of the Anchor Point Church of The Nazarene. 
The family wrote, “Lee Roy loved God, his family, and Alaska. He worked hard all his life and enjoyed working the land and running his sawmill. He was known as a quiet man, but he loved to tell stories and share a good laugh. His laughter will be missed.
LeeRoy loved spending time with his family and getting to know his grandchildren. He was a humble man who put others’ needs before his own. He was a loving father and a wonderful husband. We will all miss him.”
Glover was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bob and sister, Evelyn.
He is survived by his wife, Judy of Anchor Point; daughters, Judylee (Andy) Whitaker and Bonny (Ermond) Poore all of Spencer, Indi.; sister, Betty Yohpe of Lebanon, Ohio; grandchildren, Lisa Grinstead, Paul Grinstead, and Paul Poore all of Spencer, Ind.; great grandchild, Bentley Grinstead of Spencer, and many nieces and nephews. 
Condolences may be mailed to the family at P.O. Box 89 – Anchor Point, AK 99556. 
Arrangements were made by Homer Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Please visit LeeRoy’s online guestbook at AlaskanFuneral.com. 

Walter Johnson

Walter Johnson, a pioneering Alaska physician known to many as the father of the Community Health Aide Program, died Saturday, June 27, 2015, surrounded by family at his son’s home in Anchorage. He was 92.
Born Merle Richard Walter Johnson on July 20, 1922 to
Claus Edwin Johnson and Reka (Linden) Johnson in
Osceola, Neb., a small Swedish-American community,
he spent his formative years on the family farm. By bicycle and boat, he made his way to Alaska first in 1941. He enrolled in the University of Alaska in Fairbanks in 1942, while working summers around Wiseman nestled in the Brooks Range, where the Arctic and its people captured his heart. During WWII, he was stationed as a medical laboratory technician at Ladd Field, Fairbanks.
Walter completed undergraduate studies in biology and anthropology in 1948, and took his medical training at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, graduating in 1953. He began general practice in Bethel in 1955 — becoming the first graduate of UAF to earn an MD and return to the Territory to practice — and the same year was commissioned by the U.S. Public Health Service.
Taking a specialty in internal medicine, Walter had assignments in Chicago, Boston, Memphis and Seattle. He also served as a medical officer for the Peace Corps in 1962. Returning again to Alaska in 1963 as Medical Director and Tuberculosis Control Officer for the Alaska Native Medical Center, Walter was part of the team that carried out a treatment plan instrumental in halting tuberculosis deaths in the state. As Chief of Medicine until his retirement from the USPHS in 1980, Walter hired many of the young doctors who continued healthcare progress in TB, cardiology, surgery and other areas.
For the next nine years, Walter continued to nurture the growth of the Community Health Aide Program through work with the University of Alaska. He assisted in and supported the formation of the Alaska Federation of Natives, the initiative for bike paths in Anchorage and was co-founder of the Alaska Health Sciences Library. He is remembered for his steadfast commitment to accessible primary health care and preventative medicine.
Retiring to Homer in 1994, Walter soon planted a fruit tree orchard. Now containing some 90 trees and nearly 50 apple varieties, as well as cherry, pear and kiwi, the orchards continue to inspire new generations, and demonstrate what can be accomplished in “the rocking chair” years.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Reuben, Harold, Claus and Vernon; sisters Vera and Viola; first wife Mary Katherine (Moore); granddaughter Lauren Lecomte; all 51 first cousins, and other relatives, friends and colleagues of his generation.
He is survived by his wife Judith James of Homer; beloved sons Eric (wife Antonia) of Anchorage; Alex of Bellingham, Wash.; and Charles of Seattle, Wash.; treasured daughter Ann, of Fairbanks; two grandsons and one granddaughter. Walter is also survived by former wife, Susan (Hudson) Johnson of Homer; nephew Kent Johnson (wife Carolyn) of Seattle and Homer, and many other relatives in Nebraska, Arizona, California and Sweden. He also leaves dear friends and colleagues in Homer: Neil McArthur, Anne Wieland, Achim and Renee Jahnke and Carol Harding. As well as William English II, Pete Mjos and Karen Ruud, George Rhyneer, Sr, and Linda Curda, all of Anchorage; Syd Stealey of Fairbanks, Henry Wilde of Bangkok, Thailand; and other friends and colleagues too numerous to list.
Two gatherings for reflection and remembrance will be held: in Homer at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 40773 McLay Road; in Anchorage at 4 pm on Friday, Aug. 21, 2015 at 4 p.m. at Fox Hollow Chalet/ Tanglewood, 11701 Brayton Dr, Anchorage. A light lunch will be provided at both. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the University of Alaska.

Gloria Ann Figueroa

Gloria Ann Figueroa passed away on June 10, 2015, at age 59, at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek, Calif.
She is survived by her partner Eric Frahm, father Anthony Figueroa, siblings Judy, Billy and Domonic, children Calvin Smith, Amanda Smith, Rose Figueroa, Crista Azeredo, Ivan Weiss and grandchildren Lucca and Ruby.
Gloria brought joy to her family and friends with her offbeat sense of humor and energy. She had a child-like nature that was welcomed by many families during her time in Homer as she joined her granddaughter, Lucca, on many excursions to the Homer Library for story time, Karen Hornaday Park for hours of playing hide and seek, and Bishop’s Beach to build sand castles and collect rocks.
Gloria was known in this small community for her love of all children. She was the grandmother blowing bubbles and digging in the sand with all of the kids at the park. Though her time in Homer was short-lived, she loved to call it her true “home.” We love you Gloria, you will forever be in our hearts.
Please visit Gloria’s online guestbook at Legacy.com. A service to celebrate her life will be held at 3 p.m. July 19, at Karen Hornaday Park Pavilion. For further details, please contact Amanda Smith at (907)756-1522 or email: gf.in.loving.memory@gmail.com

Bill A. Corey

William (Bill) A. Corey was born June 14, 1928 in the old Railroad Hospital in Anchorage to Ed and Erma Corey. He spent his early years in Suntrana, Alaska, a coal mining camp near Healy and attended high school in Fairbanks. Bill loved dogs and ran a three-dog team in his early teens, winning first place in one race. He always had a dog and replaced them as they passed away. His latest dog, Abbie, misses him very much.
Bill worked various jobs before gravitating toward his true love – railroading. After a short time, he was drafted into the Army and served at Fort Richardson from 1950–52. He then returned to Fairbanks to work for the Alaska Railroad.
Bill started out working on their “water” side, working on the S. S. Nenana that delivered supplies to villages along the river. After a year of that, he became a fireman, then engineer on the regular railroad. He received numerous commendations during his 30-year career. Bill collected commemorative artwork over the years and donated part of his collection to the Alaska Heart Institute in Anchorage.
Bill married Gloria Fawn Carroll on June 27, 1953 in Fairbanks. They had three children: Colleen, Richard and Billy. They lived in Fairbanks, Chehalis, Wash., and Homer, and have eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Bill passed away peacefully on July 7, 2015 and is survived by his wife, Gloria of Homer; son Richard and daughter-in-law Karen of North Platte, Neb., as well as many other extended family members. His parents, brother Ed, daughter Colleen and son Billy predeceased him.
Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2821 East End Road on Wednesday, July 15 with burial at Hickerson Cemetery followed by a reception at the Church for family and close friends.

Frank Mullen

Surrounded by his family, Frank Mullen died at the University of Washington Medical Center on July 7, 2015, after a battle with cancer.
Born in Anchorage on June 1, 1950, Frank was the son of Soldotna homesteaders Frank Sr. and Marge Mullen.
He grew up in his family’s small log cabin near where Soldotna Creek empties into the Kenai River. Frank spent his youth fishing in the creek, helping his family farm and business and delivering papers on his bike throughout Soldotna.
He began commercial fishing at age 14 and fished every year after that; his last year fishing in 2014 was his 50th year on the Inlet.


Frank graduated from Kenai Central High School and earned his bachelor’s degree later in life from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash. He sometimes joked that he majored in berry-picking, his family said. Truly, Frank was a self-taught, creative, lifelong learner with a zest for the good life for himself and others.
In his 20s, he was a young, Alaska long-haired “hippie” building log cabins in remote areas, farming and fishing and blazing the way for freedom and fairness. In his 30s, he was involved in local politics and served three terms on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, inspiring many young and talented politicians.
In the 1980s, he and his then-wife Janis opened the first computer store in Soldotna. When the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill occurred, he became involved in clean-water issues and learned how to write plans for oil-spill cleanup. He was a tireless advocate for salmon and commercial fishing.
In addition to serving on the board of the United Cook Inlet Drift Association, Frank was always working to develop solutions to problems ranging from fish conservation to marine navigation and safety.
He moved to Homer in 2004, where he opened his Raymond James office. He served on the board of Haven House and actively supported many organizations, especially Cook Inletkeeper, whose mission he strongly believed in.


Frank was a poet, writer, homegrown Alaska Democrat, extremely hard worker, traveler, entrepreneur and impassioned husband, son, brother, father and friend. The presence of his big heart, fantastic sense of humor, gusto for life and incredibly selfless, generous nature will be missed by all he touched, his family said. He inspired and cared for many people who loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie, of Homer, mother Margie, sisters Eileen, Peggy and Mary, his children Conor, Ashley and Claire, and grandchildren Thor, Anna, Evelyn, Amina, Izaak and Gavin, as well as step-children, Stacey and Clayton. He was a father-figure to many.

In honor of Frank, the family has asked that everyone love and support their local commercial fishing families, the wonderful Alaska people, rivers, streams, ocean and salmon, and all the beauty that surrounds us. Work to protect these treasures.
Donations in Frank’s honor can be made to www.cookinletkeeper.com. A Celebration of Frank’s life will be held at Soldotna Creek Park on July 31 at 3 p.m.

Robert B. Turkington

Longtime Homer resident Robert B. Turkington, 92, died Monday, July 13, 2015 at home with family by his side.
Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, July 31 at the Homer Elks Lodge, 215 W Jenny Lane. Honorary Pallbearers are Sean Presley, Daniel Presley, Scott Turkington, Ryan Turkington, Matt Turkington, Vladimir Martushev, Jason Huffman and Braden Huffman.
Robert Turkington was born May 21, 1923 to Milton and Clara Turkington in Manchester, Conn. He graduated from Manchester High School and went on to honorably serve in active federal service in the Army of the United States of America as a pilot from 1944 to 1946.
Bob and his wife Carolyn made their trek to Alaska in April of 1949. They and three other men left Manchester on April 11, 1949 to drive the Alcan Highway in two 1929 Model A Fords towing two springless trailers. The trip took them 25 days, and Bob and Carolyn celebrated their first anniversary on the road. The young couple spent their first winter in a Wanigan eight miles outside of Homer, and then moved into Homer the next spring. They were blessed with their first child Alan and a short 11 months later their son Bruce. Two years later, their only daughter Gail was born.
Robert — known as Bob Turk — was a man of many talents, and had a strong determination to make a go of “Life in the Last Frontier.” Bob wore many work hats as he built his life in Homer, while raising and supporting his family. He was self-employed in construction, commercial fishing, farming and land development.
In the early 1950s, Bob worked for the first taxicab business in Homer and later acquired the business. This enterprise led Bob to install the first phone system in Homer, enabling customers to call for a cab. The phone system consisted of army field phones strung through the trees; about 30 phones in all. Moose strolling through created frequent problems.
Bob also had the school bus contract for 20 years for the Homer area. Over the years, he was an active participant in the Homer community, as part of the HEA Board of Directors, Homer Elks Lodge, American Legion, and as a volunteer firefighter. He received numerous awards for participation and volunteering in the Homer area schools supporting the youth. When he wasn’t working, he loved hunting, farming, playing cards and was an avid ice racer in car No. 77. His example of hard work, serving his community, giving back and love of family was instilled in his three children, and they continue to follow his example. He never put off for tomorrow what could be done today.
Bob’s greatest joy was his family. He always had time for his grandchildren and was always forgiving of mistakes and accidents. Bob got to watch his 10 grandchildren grow up and was enjoying his 14 great-grandchildren and loved having them all visit. The grandchildren have many fond memories of their Grandpa Turkington.
During the last few months of his life, Bob stated numerous times how happy he was with his family and the adults that his children had become, how hard they worked and how good they were to him. He truly felt so blessed. but the truth is, we are the blessed ones; having the father, grandpa and friend that he was to all of us. He will be deeply missed. Love you Dad!
A special thanks to the women of the American Legion Auxiliary, who took such good care of Bob each day with snacks and a warm welcome. Bob looked forward to those afternoon outings and fellowship. It meant so much to him having his name on that stool!
Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years Carolyn, his parents, Milton and Clara, stepfather John Wallett and four brothers, Milt, Roy, Alan and Philip.
Bob is survived by his brother Steve Turkington of Tucson, Ariz.; son and daughters in-law, Alan and Joyce Turkington of Homer and Bruce and Debbie Turkington of Homer; daughter and son in-law, Gail and Danny Presley of Happy Valley; granddaughters Joy and Jason Huffman of Homer, Treva Turkington Huff of San Diego, Calif., Ashlie Turkington Bishop of Seattle, Wash.; Kristin Presley of Happy Valley, and Mala and Vladimir Martushev of Wasilla; grandsons, Scott and Hester Turkington of Homer, Matt Turkington of Phoenix, Ariz.; Ryan Turkington and Larissa Norgren of Homer, Sean and Leah Presley of Ninilchik, Daniel and Randi Presley of Soldotna and 14 great grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Bob to the American Legion Auxiliary No. 16 Scholarship Fund, PO Box 2643, Homer. Or to Hospice of Homer at PO Box 4174.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel and Crematory.

Zak Krom

Zak Krom of Homer, Anchorage and Kodiak, died June 25, 2015 in Naknek, Alaska.
A full obituary and service announcements will be published at a later date. A future memorial service will be held in Homer.

Kathleen Margaret Patsch Walls
April 13, 1949- July 24, 2015
Devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Kathleen Walls, peacefully passed away surrounded by her loving family July 24, 2015 at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska after a lengthy illness.
Born Kathleen Margaret Patsch, April 13, 1949, in Klamath Falls, Ore. to parents Margaret Miller Patsch and Max Patsch, Kathleen was the youngest of seven children. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Klamath in 1967.
In 1968, Kathleen married William Walls and started their family in San Jose, Calif., where Bill finished his carpenter apprenticeship training and they had their first daughter, Marie, in 1969 and son, Russell, in 1971. Shortly after, they moved northward to Spokane, Wash. and on to Chewelah, Wash., where their second daughter, Robyn, was born in 1973. Together, they built a beautiful custom home overlooking the Chewelah Valley. During these years, Kathleen would sew lovely two-piece outfits to send her children to school in. These outfits were admired by all the staff throughout the school day.
In 1976, Bill landed a construction job in Alaska and soon brought his family in tow. They headed straight into the Bush of western Alaska: Bethel. This town with one fenced-in evergreen tree in a barren land of tundra and snow was no match for this city girl, who begrudgingly adjusted to the customs of the country and quickly made comfortable the atco/trailer/house of a home for her family.
Without Christmas amenities, she rose to the challenge, making ornaments and stringing glittered styrofoam packing peanuts for the “tree” Bill had cut and strapped to his back for 30 miles on snow machine. During these years in Bethel, Kathleen, worked as the dispatcher at the City Public Works Department, and was respectfully known as the “Honey Bucket Queen.”
Bill and Kathleen moved their family one last time to the end of the road in Homer in May of 1979. They have happily resided here for the past 36 years.
During the early years, Kathleen worked several jobs around the community from dental reception, furniture sales, hanging wallpaper, fish processing to cleaning, etc. As her children grew and became more independent, she began to develop her craft as a highly skilled seamstress designing and sewing elegant prom dresses, unique classy clothing and several one-of-a-kind quilts. Known for her professional standards, Kathleen’s quilts were greatly admired and in 2001 she won Best of Show at the Kachemak Bay Quilters Show for her “Bird Bath” Quilt. She loved cranes, the bird of paradise and the 100-year-old family legacy peonies that grew in her front yard.
Kathleen was also an avid outdoors woman, ruthlessly providing for her family through subsistence and sport fishing, making midnight moose road kill meat salvage runs and canning, canning, canning meat, salmon and berries every summer. She self-proclaimed being a “hot house flower who could quarter a moose, haul a fish net, buck a cord of wood, raise a family, put a gourmet meal on the dinner table and still dress to the nines.”
Her gourmet cooking drew many friends, family and neighbor kids to her kitchen on a regular basis. In her later years, Kathleen (and Bill) owned and operated a banquet/party rental service to which she kept in a highly professional business standard in the Lower Peninsula area.
Kathleen is preceded in death by her parents; Max and Margaret Patsch, and her sister Maxine Robson. She leaves her loving husband of 46 years, Bill Walls, daughters; Marie (Pete) Alexson and Robyn Walls, son; Russell Walls, Alaska nephews; Mike Walls and Robert Say; and five precious grandchildren she was so very proud of; Lake (7), Lawson (9), Mia (15), Riley (17) and Jordan (21).
She also leaves behind her brothers; Frank and Ronald Patsch of Klamath Falls, Ore., and sisters; Phyllis Patsch and Susan Say of Placerville, Calif., sister Elaine (Bob) Garrison of Solano County, Calif., brother-in-law; Walter Walls of Gilbert, Minn. and many nieces and nephews in California, Colorado and Minnesota who always looked up to her as the “fun auntie.” She will be greatly missed by those who knew her magnificent personality and vibrant, classy style. Her passing leaves us with great sadness, yet blesses us with the knowledge to attain our best craftsmanship for her sheer determination and excellence in skill surely inspired many who witnessed her creations.
In lieu of flowers, in Kathleen’s memory, please share a kind smile or helping hand to someone today.

Zachary Krom

Zak Krom

The picture you chose was me washing a window!? In this day of Photoshop, you couldn’t get a photo of me riding a brown bear while lassoing a lion, all while pulling in a 100,000 fish set? Go big or go home people.
Well crap. It appears I’ve made the part of the paper we are all trying to avoid. Man, I did not see that coming. Who would have thought? I guess we all have it coming sooner or later (I would have gladly taken later, just throwing that out there).
I better pick up the narrative.
I had a lot going on. I was born in Homer on Sept. 21, 1990 to Tamara Branson and Dave Krom. We moved to Kodiak shortly after, where I enjoyed making both of them wait on me hand and foot those first couple years. I made it a goal to make my people — be it friends or family — laugh and smile from an early age. When I was nine (or was it 10?) we moved to Anchorage for a few years and then back to Homer.
When I was a freshman in high school, I met this really cool (and hot) girl named Sierra, who turned out to be my best friend, then my wife, and finally the mother of my child. I had a great time, (perhaps too great of a time) in high school, but I survived it! And, in the end, still managed to get a scholarship! In the fall of 2009, I moved to Anchorage with Sierra and began taking classes at UAA. No, I didn’t quite make it through and get my degree. Life can get in the way sometimes; which isn’t a bad thing by any means, because in June of 2011, I found out I was gonna be a DAD! Holy crap! I was scared and excited as the months rolled along and the bun got bigger! Finally on Feb. 13 2012, my world changed with the arrival of Mackenzie “Mac” Elizabeth Krom. I didn’t know someone could be so beautiful or I could love them so much until you entered my life little Mac. Now, I had a family to take care of.
There isn’t enough room to explain all the ins and outs. We moved around a bit after you were born, got married in August of 2013 to Sierra Parker, but kept ending up back in Anchorage and I had to leave my family to do what I had to do to support them.
Wow, I’m just getting to my love of fishing now! I started my commercial fishing career at eight years old on a halibut opener with my dad. The last three seasons, I’ve been fishing in Bristol Bay; loving the work, but hating being away from my family. I fished with some really good people for the most part, and that’s when it happened. A day away from being back home, and …
There is no way to wrap up my story; it just ended. And for all of you with a sick curiosity, it was an unfortunate cheese grating accident. Does that satisfy your curiosity? (OK, OK what really happened was that I was hit by a car and obviously the car won).
I’m sorry to say that, leaving early like this, I’m leaving behind my amazing 3-year-old daughter Mackenzie, best friend and wife Sierra, best brothers ever — Varian and Micah Sanguinetti — and the little brother I always wished for and tortured regularly, Jacob Fox.
I had incredible uncles, aunts and cousins. My dog Romeo and sidekick baby girl, a whole lot of true friends (you know who you are). Thanks for sharing my life. Love you all, see you on the other side. Zak.
Zak was preceded in death by grandparents Jim and Betty Branson, Priscilla Branson, William and Shirley Krom, and his furry family Poozle, Keta and Genghis.
A memorial for Zak Krom will be held this Saturday, Aug. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Seafarers Memorial on the Homer Spit. A 4 p.m. reception will be held at Best Western Bidarka Inn.
Please come and honor Zak with laughter and love. Bring your best Zak stories.
An account has been set up for Zak’s daughter Mackenzie at Wells Fargo. For information regarding the donation account, please email tamara_branson@yahoo.com

Elizabeth Ann Johnson

Beloved Homer educator, Elizabeth Ann Johnson, 76, died of natural causes at home in mid July. Liz was born Nov. 1, 1938 to the Carters of Longview, Wash. Liz was raised in Washington and Oregon. She moved to Homer with her husband, Bill, and two Irish setters in 1965.
A graduate of Oregon College of Education, she was a classroom and physical education teacher at Paul Banks Elementary School for many years. She also helped Bill coach gymnastics at the junior and senior high schools.
After retiring from the Kenai Peninsula School District, her love of children led her to teach at Faith Christian Preschool, where she nurtured several grand and great-grand students as they began their educational careers. She loved that job with all her heart, spending countless hours preparing bible-based lessons and daily creative projects. She said every day was a joy because she always got at least one huge giggle or grin out of their three-year-old’s questions or observations.
Endlessly creative, Liz loved bringing beauty to the world around her. A member of the Homer Garden Club, she planted amazing rock gardens around the home she and Bill built themselves out East End Road and tended other flower gardens around Homer.
She raised chickens; became a talented cook of game meats; picked berries – both wild and cultivated, putting up hundreds of jars of jams and jellies, as well as making berry-infused vinegars.
Liz painted in oils, created stained glass with Bill, knit, crocheted, quilted and sewed. For years. she and Bill anonymously made piles of flannel pajamas, shirts, down vests and jackets as Christmas gifts to brighten children’s holidays.
Though they had no children of their own, they opened their hearts and home to many over the years, including Hitashi — a Japanese foreign exchange student. They had special relationships with the Nussbaum girls, children of long-time friends in Anchorage, and especially Patti Harrington Jolin, their “chosen daughter.”
Liz was predeceased by her husband, A.W. “Bill” Johnson, her parents, and brother, William F. Carter.
She leaves to lovingly remember her, Rosalie Shockley her sister of Benton, La.; “chosen daughter” Patti (Jim) Jolin of Sterling; many nieces and nephews and devoted longtime friends.
A memorial service for Liz will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8 at Faith Lutheran Church. There will be time for sharing memories with her family.
Liz’s wish was that any memorial donations be sent to the Bill and Liz Johnson Teacher Education Scholarship Fund c/o The Homer Foundation, PO Box 2600, Homer, AK 99603 to help graduates of Homer High School prepare themselves to find the same joy and fulfillment in teaching that Liz and Bill enjoyed.

Joanne Joy Hart

On July 25, 2015, Joanne Joy Hart passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend who openly shared her gracious nature, gentle spirit and keen wisdom with those she loved, as well as the complete strangers her husband would bring home.
Joanne was born in Green Bay, Wisc., where she lived until her family moved to Washington in 1944. In the spring of 1954, she met the love of her life, Charles Hart. She graduated from Central Kitsap High School shortly thereafter and they were married that November. There is comfort in knowing they are united again.
Joanne and Chuck made the decision to move to Anchorage with their three children in Nov. of 1963. After surviving the 1964 earthquake, they chose to stay and together built their home in Spenard. She was a dedicated and loving mother, heavily involved in her children’s school programs and supportive of all their activities. Joanne worked for Spenard Builders Supply for many years at both the Lois Drive location in Anchorage and the store in Homer. She loved her work and greatly admired the people she worked with until her retirement.  
Joanne and Chuck began building their cabin on MacDonald Spit in 1968, and spent every possible moment enjoying this place too amazing to put into words. In 1979, they built their dream home in Homer, where they shared many happy years with friends and family until Chuck passed away in 2010. Joanne chose to return to Anchorage to be closer to her family in 2011.  
Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck; son, Charles; mother, Ruby; father, Walter; and two brothers, Donne and Lee.
She is survived by her sister, Judy; children, Jeff and Susan; grandchildren, Patricia (Tyson), Sara (David), Michael, Cristy (Kyle), Rebecca, Charles, Bernadette, Elliot and Cory; great grandchildren, Kyla, Hatcher, Noah, twins Madeline and Eleanor, Michael, a new bundle of joy due in Jan. 2016, and many extended family members.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Alaska Zoo Gateway Hall, 4731 O’Malley Rd, in Anchorage. A second memorial service with family and friends in Washington State will take place later this fall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her name, Joanne J Hart, to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or by mail to 3851 Piper Street, Ste U-240, Anchorage, AK 99508.

Sandra J. Newton

Sandra J. Newton

Born July 28, 1937, passed away July 16, 2015
Her memories will be survived by her husband, George (Ray) Newton. Her four children: Todd, Mike, Mark and Donald Slaughter.
Grandchildren: Chad, Angel, Mathew, Michael, Nichol, Trevor, Teagan, Mischa and Kiano. Great grandkids: Jesse, Caleb, Damien, Dakota, Desiree, Devon, Chase, and Lily. Daughter in-laws: Cindy, Supatta and Tara. Her ashes will be spread and memories shared at Bear Creek. A place she had fond memories of.
A poem she liked very much.

“Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the mornings’ hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.”
— Anonymous

William (Bill) Corey 1928-2015

William Corey

Bill was born June 14, 1928 in the old Railroad Hospital in Anchorage to Ed and Erma Corey. He spent his early years in Suntrana, Alaska, a coal-mining camp near Healy, and attended high school in Fairbanks. Bill loved dogs, and ran a three-dog team in his early teens. He won first place in one race. He always had a dog and replaced them as they passed away. His latest dog, Abbie, misses him very much.
Bill worked various jobs before gravitating toward his true love railroading. After a short time, he was drafted into the Army and served at Fort Richardson from 1950-1952. He returned to Fairbanks to work for the Alaska Railroad. Bill started out by working on their water side, working on the S.S. Nenana that delivered supplies to villages along the river. After a year of that, he became a fireman, then an engineer on the regular railroad. He received numerous commendations during his 30-year career. Bill collected their commemorative artwork over the years and donated part of his collection to the Alaska Heart Institute in Anchorage.
Bill married Gloria Fawn Carroll on June 27, 1953 in Fairbanks. They had three children: Colleen, Richard and Billy. They lived in Fairbanks, Chehalis, Wash., and Homer. They have eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Bill passed away peacefully on July 7, 2015 and is survived by his wife, Gloria, of Homer; son Richard and daughter-in-law Karen of North Platte, Neb.; as well as many other extended family members. His parents, brother Ed, daughter Colleen, and son Billy predeceased him.

Stanley Ralph Harrington

Stanley Ralph Harrington

On Aug. 10, 2015, Stan Harrington passed peacefully at his home in Anchor Point with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren at his side. Stan — one of seven children — was born on May 18, 1945 in Montrose, Colo. to Vern and Lena Harrington.
In his teens, the family moved to Alaska and settled in the Homer and Anchor Point area. In 1959, his parents opened “Harrington’s Fishing Shack” on the Anchor River. It was along the banks of the Anchor River that Stan discovered his love for trout and salmon fishing.
After graduating from Homer High School in 1963, Stan enlisted in the Navy and began a 20-year career for which he was passionate. In 1966, when home from sea duty on the aircraft carrier USS Shangri La, he fell in love with and married his high school classmate, Terry Lynn Epperson. The couple moved to Florida and Stan went to sea in the Mediterranean.
In 1967, Stan was transferred to Adak, Alaska, and it was here that the first two of their four children were born — Shane and Shana. In 1970, Stan and Terry moved to Hawaii, where Stan served on the USS Ponchatoula in the Philippines. During this time, Stan decided he wanted to be home with family rather than at sea. He trained to be a recruiter, and the family moved to Durango, Colo. While in Durango, Stan and Terry were blessed with their third child, Heidi.
The family was later transferred to Grand Junction, and later to the Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, Wash. There, he served as a Navy Counselor with the VA 95th squadron. It was here that he and Terry had their fourth and final child, Heath.
After another transfer — this time to Anchorage — he served at the Naval Recruiting Station. Stan finished his 20-year naval career, retiring as a Navy Counselor Chief Petty Officer in 1983.
After retiring, the family moved back to Homer and then to Anchor Point, where Stan was finally able to get back to his beloved Anchor River and the fishing he loved so much. His dream was always to someday own a tackle shop, and that dream came true when, in 1985, he was able to purchase a perfect little piece of land right across the road from the Anchor River Bridge and build his pride and joy — the Anchor Angler.
During the summer months, in addition to running the tackle shop, Stan did a daily radio broadcast called the Kenai Peninsula Sports Fishing Report, and became an essential part of every sports fisherman’s day. With summers so busy, winters were slow, so Stan decided to purchase a local video store in Anchor Point. He opened another video store later, in Homer. The last fishing report coincided with the closing of the Anchor Angler and the video stores. In 2007, Stan finally and truly retired.
After retirement, Stan and Terry built their dream home overlooking the Anchor River Valley and settled in to enjoy their grandchildren. Watching them grow up and spending time with them was his truest joy. He also loved his flower gardens and, with a lot of help from Terry, created a large, beautiful garden that provides enjoyment to all who see it and was a great solace to Stan as his health failed.
Stan was preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Lena Harrington, his brothers Tad and Don Harrington; his sister Dorothy Miller and her husband, Cliff; his son, Shane Harrington; and his beloved dog, Dutch.
He leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Terry; his youngest son, Heath Harrington, spouse Erica Harrington; daughter, Shana Baxter, spouse Eric Baxter; daughter Heidi Mclay, spouse John Mclay; 14 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Stan will be greatly missed by all that knew him, as well as the many that knew him by his voice on the fishing report on the radio.

A.C. Gribble

A.C. Gribble

A.C. Gribble, a loving husband and father, Las Vegas Security entrepreneur, Western Airlines executive, Alaska pioneer and fisherman, died Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015 at the age of 85.
A.C. Is survived by his wife Carole Ann Gribble, daughter Charlotte Moss and her husband Bob; son Ken Gribble and his wife Diana; daughters-in-law Shirlie Gribble and Ava Gribble, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A.C. was born March 26, 1930 and raised on a small farm in southern Colorado. A.C. worked on the Great Western Railroad, was the manager of the Ralston Purina Granary, married Katherine Lee Schade and soon started a family. He and Kate raised their three sons and daughter and loved to take them — and others — boating and fishing.
In 1963 A.C. moved his family to Homer, Alaska, where he was the first manager of the Port of Homer, worked for Pacific Northwest Airlines and then Western Airlines. He helped start the first Little League Baseball in Homer. A.C rose through the ranks of Western Airlines, managing several stations in Juneau, Seattle and San Francisco, where he met and married Carole. They were transferred to Las Vegas when he became Regional Director for Western Airlines.
After retiring from Western Airlines, A.C. started and managed several security companies, as well as Pia Zadora Airlines. Throughout his life, he loved to boat and fish on Lake Mead, return to Alaska and fish in Kachemak Bay and the Tsiu River south of Cordova with family and friends. A.C. will be missed by his family and many very close friends.

Billy James Smith

Billy James Smith, 73, passed away Aug. 13, 2015 at Providence Hospital. He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Verna (née Morgan) Smith, and brothers Robert and Jack (Sandra) Smith.
Billy is survived by his loving wife, Beverly; brother Roger and sister Jeanette Frank; son, Scott Smith; daughters: Desiree Dawn Latour, Shari Reid (Josh), Terese (Ron) Adams and Natalie (Edward) Dines. He leaves behind 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Billy was born March 7, 1942 in Graysville, Mo. His family moved to Palmer, Alaska in 1951. At age 16, Billy started his career as a heavy equipment operator, working at the Jonesville Coal Mine in Sutton, Alaska. Billy served in the U.S. Navy from 1961 to 1965, and is a veteran of the Cuban Missile Conflict. On Nov. 20, 1992, Billy married Beverly Brown. He lived a rich life, married to the woman he adored.
Billy was a loyal friend to many, always ready to give a hand. He was a member of the Elks and the Local 302 Operating Engineers. Billy was a hard-working man with many hobbies. He was a talented musician and vocalist who could play any instrument he picked up. He enjoyed playing the banjo and guitar, and he loved to sing and jam with his friends. He had music in his soul.
Billy also enjoyed restoring vintage cars, woodworking and gardening. He was an avid golfer, tennis player, artist and painter. But his true love was of his family. His family remembers him as a man of few words, but his smile could light up a room.
Billy’s life was celebrated Saturday at the Palmer Elks Lodge No. 1842 in Wasilla. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org/ in Billy’s full name.
Arrangements made by the Cremation Society of Alaska. Words of comfort can be shared at www.alaskacremation.com

Bradley Wilfer Dickey

Bradley Wilfer Dickey was born Jan. 14, 1936, in Worthington, Minn., to Adah Christiansen and Wilfer Dickey.
An accomplished lad from an early age, Brad was an acolyte, a classical pianist and an Eagle Scout. He loved to show champion Tennessee walking horses throughout the Midwest. In 1957, Brad earned his pharmaceutical degree from the University of Colorado. Shortly after, he met and married Paula Schildhouer.
Brad was a gifted entrepreneur. His first businesses were in Worthington Minn. As a pharmacist, he opened the Dickey Thrifty Drug. He also owned a mobile home park called Wagon Wheel Estates. He moved to Alaska in 1971, and first tested the business waters in Chugiak by partnering up with Thillman Wallace in the Klondike Concrete Company. After a short time, he found one of his true gifts as a master home-builder. He constructed more than 20 homes in three Eagle River subdivisions.
In the 1980s, Brad began commercial fishing out of Homer. Partnering up with Jim Fetterly, the two purchased the F/V Sea Venture. They crabbed and long-lined until an unfortunate set of circumstances capsized The Sea Venture in February, 1992. Crew member Todd Jensen was lost. By the heroic actions of another crew member — Tony Banco — Brad was spared.
After his brush with death, Brad turned his focus to growing his seafood company Katch Seafood. He retired from the fast-paced retail shop in 1997, turning again to building and remodeling rentals in Homer.
Brad was a quiet, soft-spoken man with a great sense of humor. Brad adored Paula, his wife of 52 years. He loved his family and friends, as well as traveling, gardening, cooking, hunting and fishing. Friends will remember his thrill of winning 10th place in the 2011 Homer winter king salmon tournament.
Brad was preceded in death by his parents, Wilfer and Adah, his sister Marilyn Dickey, niece, Karoline Williams, his only son Devon Wilfer Dickey in 2000, and his wife Paula in 2011.
Brad leaves behind niece Cindy Roy of St. George, Utah and nephew Steve Malmgren of Mesquite, Nev., and their children, as well as many good friends.
Brad died June 17, 2015 in an unexplained car crash.

“Go gently back to the ocean from which you were created and know you are missed.”

Homer resident Nancy Branch, 76, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015 at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer.
A celebration of her life will be 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Kachemak Community Center.
A full obituary will appear later.
Arrangements are with Peninsula Memorial Chapel.

Susan Ann Gibson

Susan Ann Gibson died at home Aug. 23, 2015, in the middle of a sunny afternoon. She was born in Salem, Ore., on March 12, 1952, the youngest of three children born to Elvin and Elaine Barrowcliff.
Her father and brother Wayne live in Homer, and her oldest brother, Bob, lives in Castle Rock, Wash. Her first job was picking strawberries for commercial growers in Oregon.
When she was 21, Sue met Steve Gibson. They lived together in Jacksonville, Ore., before making an exploratory trip through Canada and Alaska. They decided to make Homer their home, and caravanned up with family and friends in 1975. The first winter was spent in a cabin out East End Road, and the next year they bought property and started to build their own house.
Sue became stepmother to Steve’s daughters Sam and Jennifer, and over the next few years, mother to Amanda and Ben. She was an exceptional mom. Her kids today — who have kids of their own — are still wondering how she did it.
When she was living out East End Road and raising a family on little money, Sue baked delicious bread, carried groceries from the car in a backpack, sold goat milk, processed halibut, gardened and took care of a slew of chickens, ducks, turkeys, goats and once, a cow and pigs. She loved animals and would later make frequent donations to Heifer International. She fed us all, kept us in line and made sure we knew she loved us.
She helped birth countless baby goats and eventually, two granddaughters. Her presence was reassuring and strong. When Amanda was in labor, she made her feel like everything would be fine. It’s easy to imagine the goats felt the same way. Amanda thinks about her role in those births almost every day.
Books were a big part of Sue’s life and she spent hours listening to and reading them. She started volunteering at the Homer Public Library in the 1980s, and then became an employee. She loved working there, and retired late in 2013.
One of her favorite aspects of working at the library was selecting and delivering books to homebound patrons. She formed many friendships that way. Her coworkers at the library are amazing people. She was grateful to them for their good company, their humor and their help learning many things. She brought home stacks of books to read. For herself, her husband, her kids and grandkids; books on cooking, gardening, politics, mystery, fantasy and science fiction.
Sue liked chocolate milkshakes, lentil salads, good sandwiches and green tea. She enjoyed knitting — especially starting new projects — but was annoyed at how hard it could be to finish things. Gardening was important to her too. For the past 40 years, she has started seeds, planted out starts, watered plants, weeded, schemed on new garden beds and cursed pushkie and chickweed.
Despite her deep connection to family and friends, as well as the Homer community, Sue was aghast at the idea of a memorial service. Those who knew her well are probably not surprised. Sue was not a very social person (outside of the library) and yet a lot of people loved her. Throughout her illness, friends and family have communicated that love so well with food, flowers, incredibly thoughtful cards and reflections on shared lives. She was so grateful to you all.
Sue was married to a sawmiller for 40 years and had to put up with a lot of sawdust in the dryer. She had four kids who harassed her in various loving ways and was “Grandma Susie” to eight flawless grandchildren. She had many, many good reasons to roll her eyes at us.
We miss her terribly.

Alan Robert Kelly

Alan Robert Kelly, known both as Alan and Kelly, was a people person who made friends easily — and kept them for life. He died of a massive stroke on Sept. 12, 2015 at Providence Medical Center in Anchorage.
Born Nov. 2, 1955 in Cooperstown, N.Y., the fourth and youngest child of Robert Lloyd Kelly and Lesley Dickman Kelly. He was a precocious child at a tender age, much to the chagrin of his parents. Alan, at the age of three, was helped with skates, grabbed a hockey stick and began what turned into a lifelong love of the game of hockey. Growing up in a family which typically enjoyed camping, canoeing, fishing and nature in general, he soon learned to fish.
In 1959, the family moved to Swarthmore, Penn., where he received his elementary and high school education. He participated in baseball, and at age nine, joined a fledgling youth hockey league just as organized teams were forming in the Philadelphia area. Hockey became a major passion for him, as a player, loyal fan and later as a coach.
Upon his graduation from high school in 1974, he worked in the Philadelphia area, trying various jobs. One of which was driving a fish delivery truck in the Delaware Valley area. He then moved to Burlington, Vt. where he continued his pursuit of hockey. He attended classes at UVM and worked as the local dog catcher, even living with his canine friends for a period of time in a room at the kennel. While there, his affinity for and great love of dogs deepened.
In 1981, Alan moved to Homer after living and working in California for a short while. In Homer, Alan found a community filled with friends, hockey, fishing and dogs. His first job was at Land’s End as a bartender, where he quickly bonded with those around him, connecting with lifelong Homer residents — or those just arriving in town. He was loyal and persistent in friendship, maintaining contacts while gathering more people into his kind-hearted life.
Alan played softball and joined a hockey league, where he was admired on the ice for his skill, finesse and passion for the game. He worked on the Slope, as well as in the fishing industry on boats, in fish factories as a crane operator, and as a buyer. In 2000, Alan flew to California, returning with a refrigerated box truck, with which he started his own business, Homer Halibut Express. He continued to fly fish and could boast of having caught the biggest fish of anyone in his family.
He also loved and cared for numerous dogs over the years, becoming known as a dog whisperer. He willingly took care of others’ dogs while they were away, calling his family back East to tell them of the antics of his canine companions.
He will be remembered for his generosity of spirit, non-judgmental attitude toward people, and for helping others in both large and small ways. He lived fully, with happiness, and was much loved by his family and enormous network of friends. He will be deeply missed.
Alan was predeceased by his mother, Lesley Dickman Kelly. He is survived by his father, Robert Lloyd Kelly; brother, Steven D. Kelly of Bozeman, Mont.; sisters Conny A. Kelly and her husband Kenneth Seiders of South Bristol, Maine; and Margery F. Kelly of Damariscotta, Maine; niece, Eva Kate Seiders of San Diego, Calif.; nephews Kyle D. Seiders of Kingfield, Maine and Steven Alan Severance of Waltham, Mass.
A gathering was held to celebrate his life prior to spreading his ashes on the waters of the Anchor River, one of his favorite fishing spots.
For those friends living in various parts of the country, he can be remembered by taking the time to reach out and contact each other. In his memory, donations may be made to Homer Animal Friends, PO Box 2300, Homer, AK 99603 (designated for the animal shelter). He left us way too soon.

Garland Earl Blanchard

Garland Earl Blanchard, 66, beloved husband and father, passed away in Homer, Alaska on Aug. 23, 2015.
Garland was born June 25, 1949 in Bandon, Ore. to Harold and Jessie Blanchard. Garland had two brothers, Boyd, and Harold Jr., and one sister, Corrine Gay Davidson.
Garland was preceded in death by both his parents Harold and Jessie and his brother Harold Jr.
Garland grew up in Bay City, Ore., and was one of the “ol’ Bay City boys,” along with Frank Harper and Glenn Bell. While Garland had too many friends to list, they remained his friends until the end.
Garland attended Neakhanie High School, where he enjoyed a great football career and graduated from in 1968. He built the F/V Joleen in 1977, and later moved to Homer in 1981 to continue his career as a  third-generation commercial fisherman in the waters of Alaska. It was a love of fishing he inherited from his father. Garland drove the F/V Joleen to Homer with his crew, and his family shortly followed.
Garland continued crabbing in Kachemak Bay for Dungeness Crab, and as he was in all things in his life, he worked hard to be one of the best.
In his lifetime, Garland fished an array of fisheries, including Prince William Sound seining, halibut and cod long-lining, herring seining, salmon set-netting and king crab. He finalized his career as a Cook Inlet drift fisherman with his family on deck of the boat, F/V Savannah Dawn, which he and his son Josh rebuilt.   While not excelling at all fisheries, he was proud of his career of being a high-liner Dungeness crab fisherman, and a high-liner salmon gillnetter for his cannery until the end.
Garland is survived by his wife, Elaine “Midge” Chalup-Blanchard (Homer), his son Joshua Dean Blanchard (Homer), his daughter Joleen Dawn McKinney (Yelm, Wash.), his grandchildren Savannah Dawn, Kolton Christopher, Courtney Ann, Iver and Theron, Coleman and Hollie Chalup (Anchorage), Emily Chalup (Homer), his brother Boyd Blanchard (Salem, Ore.), sister Corrine Gay Davidson (Florence, Ore.), along with his faithful companion, Renegade Rex. He now joins his beloved dog, Bingo.
A potluck celebration of life is planned for noon-4 p.m. Oct. 3 at The Otter Room in Homer.
In lieu of flowers; donations can be made to his gofundme.com, or a donation in his name to the Seafarers Memorial for a brick in his memory. Donations can also be made to the American Cancer Society-Alaska.
“It is what it is, now it’s time to go fishin’.” – Garland Blanchard
Arrangements made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.

Homer resident Johnny Ulrich, 59, passed away Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015 at South Peninsula Hospital from liver cancer.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Homer.  Fr. Bob Leising, OMI will officiate.
Johnny was born Oct. 8, 1956 in Oceanside, New York.  He graduated high school and worked as a heavy equipment operator before moving to Homer in Sept. 2007.
In Homer, Johnny was a school bus driver for First Student but had to quit his job in March 2015 due to cancer.
He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and enjoyed halibut fishing all day and wood working in his shop.
“Johnny Ulrich was one of the nicest and most selfless men.  For his final adventure, he had the courage to pick up his life and follow his dream to fish for Halibut in Homer, Alaska.” His wife wrote.
Johnny is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Ulrich of Homer; sister, Kathy Rottmann of Cumming, Ga.; brother, Chuck Ulrich of Bay Shore, New York and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.

Shane Clinton Baringer of Homer passed from this life in Anchorage, AK on October 13, 2015. A full obituary will follow on Oct. 28.

A memorial service will take place at Glacier View Baptist Church in Homer, AK, and will be held Saturday, October 24, 2015, at 4:00 pm.  Pastor Rick Wise will officiate.  Following the memorial, there will be a pot-luck dinner at the Homer Elks Lodge, for a continued celebration of Shayne’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the American Cancer Society.  (1-800-227-2345 or www.donate.cancer.org).

Shayne Clinton Baringer was born July 11, 1964 in Las Vegas, Nev. to Charles Clinton and Carolyn Baringer. He passed from this life in Anchorage on Oct. 13, 2015.
Shayne graduated from Mountain Home High School in Idaho in 1982. After graduation, he moved to Kodiak, where he worked for a roofing company and fished commercially. Shayne next moved to Homer, where he got his start in commercial construction with Brown Construction. In 1990, Shayne gained employment with Enserch, where he worked as a tunnel supervisor on the Bradley Lake Hydro Project.
After its completion, Shayne began working for Herndon and Thompson, Inc. and then later worked for Osage Construction. In 1995, Shayne married his wife, Nikki. Soon thereafter, they took a leap of faith and started Twin Peaks Construction, Inc. and eventually moved to Anchor Point. This would prove to be a great decision, because in 1998, Nikki gave birth to their son Tristan.
Owning Twin Peaks Construction allowed Shayne to work close to home and be with Nikki and Tristan. They started out small with minimal equipment, but by working side-by-side, Shayne and Nikki grew Twin Peaks Construction into a multimillion dollar business, completing more than 93 construction projects.
Some of Shayne’s proudest jobs were: Kennecott Mine, King Cove Roads, Stariski Creek Bridge, and numerous jobs in Denali National Park spanning a nine-year period. His proudest accomplishment was the completion of his latest project; the Stetson Creek Cooper Lake Dam Diversion Project for Chugach Electric. Shayne thrived on taking difficult jobs and making them successful. He loved being around all of his equipment, which he called “his yellow candy.”
Shayne had many hobbies, including hunting, fishing and traveling  — and he loved to ride his Harley. But his favorite pasttime was bidding, planning and completing construction projects. Shayne was a member of AGC of Alaska, Ducks Unlimited, the National Rifle Association and the Elks Lodge. He held many construction-related certifications from CESCL, MSHA and ISMA, to name a few, and held a federal explosives license issued by the ATF division of the US Dept. of Justice. Shayne was determined to have a successful commercial construction business and worked tirelessly to achieve that goal.
Shayne was preceded in death by one brother, Michael Baringer. He is survived by his wife Nikki Danette Baringer; son Tristan Ethan Baringer, as well as his beloved German shepherd, Chief; daughter Dionella “Bow” Baringer and Mike “Spanky” Doble, and Bow’s daughter, Piper Nicole Baringer, who Shayne lovingly referred to as his little princess; daughter Malina Miller, her husband Aaron, and grandchildren Jeremy and Aaris; father Charles Clinton Baringer and Marlis Osburn of Las Vegas, Nev.; mother Carolyn St. Jean and husband Ralph of Mountain Home, Idaho; brother Charles Baringer, Jr. “Chuck” and wife Brenda of Las Vegas, Nev.; sister Kim Orozco and husband Rudy of Las Vegas; sister Kelly Hobbs and husband John of Boise, Idaho; brother Kermit Roy Baringer of Las Vegas, Nev.; sister Kristin Gravedoni and husband Guido of Mountain Home, Idaho; father- In-law Marvin Beeson and wife Barbara of Bend, Ore.; mother-in-law Doni Beeson of Sun City, Ariz.; sister-in-law Kim Beeson of Bend, Ore., as well as 14 nieces and nephews. He had many friends, acquaintances and loyal employees. He will be missed by many.
A memorial service was held at Glacier View Baptist Church in Homer on Saturday. Pastor Rick Wise officiated.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the American Cancer Society. (1-800-227-2345 or www.donate.cancer.org).

Port Graham resident, Mrs. Vera Polly Meganack, 63, died Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015 at South Peninsula Hospital Long Term Care in Homer, Alaska.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2015 at The Saint Herman of Alaska Russian Orthodox Church in Port Graham, Alaska. Vera will be laid to rest at the Port Graham Cemetery.
Mrs. Meganack was born April 2, 1952 in Port Graham, Alaska, and has lived in Port Graham for most of her life. She attended grade school up until the eighth grade.
Vera lived in Kenai from 1990 to 2001. She worked for the Peninsula Clarion newspaper, Little Caesars Pizza in K-Mart and Burger King in Kenai. She was a member of the Saint Herman of Alaska Russian Orthodox Church in Port Graham. Vera loved traditional foods and subsistence living.
The family wrote:
Arthur: “She loved a traditional lifestyle; traditional teaching and traditional foods. She would do anything for her children, including walking through blizzards to be with them. She tried to teach us a traditional lifestyle — all the traditional foods, medicine and language. Even though we treated her badly when we were kids, she taught us honor and respect — and traditional foods, even though some of us didn’t really eat it.”
Anna Sue: “She loved walking the beach from village to village and loved her grandchildren to death.”
Polly: “She loved all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her sisters, and all of the neighbor children.”
Junior: “She loved the company of her friends and family, and always helped out whenever she could. She cared about all of her kids equally.”
All said she will be loved and missed eternally.
Vera was preceded in death by her father, Larry Meganack; mother, Polly Meganack; son, Ephim Moonin, Jr.
She is survived by sisters, Feona Sawden of Port Graham and Fedora Hedrick of Homer; daughters, Anna Sue Ukatish of Nanwalek and Pally Moonin of Anchorage; sons, Arthur Moonin of Anchorage and Ephim Moonin, Jr. of Soldotna and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel and Crematory. Please visit her online guestbook at AlaskanFuneral.com.

Charles Frank Burgess, (aka Chuck, Charlie, Chas and Dr. B,) died peacefully at home on Oct. 21, 2015 in Homer, Alaska as a result of a brain tumor. He was diagnosed in July 2009 and was the first patient to enroll in a new clinical trial at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Wash.
In the summer of 2014, after several years in remission, Chuck developed pre-leukemia. In spring 2015, the brain tumor recurred.
Chuck was born Dec. 5, 1952 in Grosse Pointe, Mich. to David E. and Marie (Hawley) Burgess. He graduated from Deveaux School, Niagra Falls, NY in 1971, and met his future wife, Elaine Urbon, in 1972 in a psychology class at Michigan State University.
Both graduated, and he continued at the University of Michigan, obtaining a masters in social work. After working eight years in this field, he decided to attend medical school, and was accepted at Michigan State University. He graduated in 1989, and completed his residency in psychiatry at Detroit Psychiatric Institute.
Daughter Shelby was born prior to their move to Anchorage in 1993. Chuck served in multiple positions as a psychiatrist at Providence Alaska Medical Center, and also provided psychiatric care in Homer.
In 2001, the family moved to Homer as Chuck assumed a full-time position at The Center, now known as South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services. He was an intelligent, compassionate, respectful professional and worked endless hours serving his clients. During his free time, however, he embraced a plethora of activities, and loved being on the waters of Alaska exploring, rafting, kayaking, fishing and scuba diving with his daughter in Hawaii and the Caribbean.
Chuck also enjoyed home design and remodeling, listening to music, playing guitar and piano and engaging in long conversations on politics, the environment and mental health issues.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Martha McGugin and Julie Ward. His surviving siblings are David Burgess (and former wife Tina), Susan Getz and Mary Cummings, plus extended family and lifelong and Alaska friends (too numerous to name, but they know who they are).
A memorial gathering will be held at Homer’s Bunnell Street Arts Center Nov. 1, between 2 and 4 p.m. (Remember, it’s fall-back Sunday.)
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dr. B may be made to the South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services to support patient care, or an environmental organization of your choosing. Deepest gratitude goes to all the friends and family who have supported Elaine and Shelby over the last six years, as well as Dr. Mrugala (University of Wash.), Drs. Kiem and Adair at Fred Hutchinson, Dr. Eneboe and Amy at Home Health and Hospice of Homer.

Homer resident Paul James Oskolkoff, 73, died Monday, Nov. 9, 2015 at The Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at the Transfiguration of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Church on Church Road in Ninilchik. Father Victor Nick will officiate.
Paul will be buried at the Orthodox cemetery following the services. Pallbearers will include Aaron Oskolkoff, Greg Encelewski, Dan Leman, Erik Kvasnikoff, Rubin Demedoff and Joe Linden.
Mr. Oskolkoff was born Aug. 6, 1942 in Ninilchik. Soon after graduating high school, he joined the Navy where he served in the Vietnam War.
Paul has lived in Anchorage, Kodiak, Ninilchik — and most recently in Homer. He has been a fisherman for most of his adult life.
Paul was a member of the American Legion Roll of Honor and Silver Leader in the Community Club. He worked with wood, building graveyard crosses, furniture and sheds. Politics were of great interest to Paul.
His family wrote, “Paul was a spiritual man who believed in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He loved to read about history — especially presidential history and wars. He enjoyed politics and a good debate about his favorite politicians, but his most favorite things in life were his children and granddaughters. He loved his family very much and was so proud of his eight granddaughters.”
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and three brothers.
He is survived by his aunt, Mae Demidoff of Ninilchik; sisters, Salma Leman of Ninilchik and Louise Sambon of Anchorage; daughter, Nadia Oskolkoff of Los Gatos, Calif.; sons, James Canoose of Seattle, Wash., Anthony Oskolkoff of Lake Havasu, Ariz. and Aaron Oskolkoff of Santa Cruz, Calif; granddaughters, Shelbi Oskolkoff of San Jose, Calif., Kaslyn Oskolkoff of Lake Havasu, Ariz., Katerina Oskolkoff of Lake Havasu, Ariz., Mackenzi Oskolkoff of San Jose, Calif., Alexandra Oskolkoff of Lake Havasu, Ariz., Anastasia, Savannah and Natasha of Santa Cruz, Calif., and extended family from Ninilchik.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Paul to the Transfiguration of our Lord Russian Orthodox Church on Church Road in Ninilchik.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel and Crematory. Please sign Paul’s online guestbook at AlaskanFuneral.com.

Longtime Happy Valley resident, Mr. Dennis Patrick Douglas, 69, died Friday, November 6, 2015 at his home in Happy Valley.
Memorial services will be held 3:00 p.m. Thursday, November 19, 2015 at The V.F.W. in Anchor Point.
Mr. Douglas was born April 12, 1946 in Leavenworth, WA.  He graduated from High School in Fairbanks in which he attended from 1960 to 1964.  Dennis furthered his education by attended LaSalle Ext University, Law Correspondent in North Dakota School, U of A Fairbanks, Anchorage Community College and Highline Community College. In 1964 he joined the Navy and served up until he was discharged in 1967.  Dennis moved to Alaska in 1951 living in Fairbanks for 30 years and Happy Valley for 34 years.  He was the first to employed to build the pipeline by Kuparuk.  He worked for the University of Alaska Power Plant and Water Plant Operator Greater Anchorage area, Tanana Mechanical, ARCO Kupuruk as a production operator, Aurora Lab Gallery and was licensed as a private Investigator for the Bail business.  In 2007 he retired from D2 Bail.  He attended the Greatland Church in Anchor Point and attended the Methodist Church as a child. Dennis was a member of the V.F.W. American Legion and member of the NRA.  He was a pet lover who loved Patty and Kodiak his best furry friends, he loved riding motorcycles, restoring old cars, writing, was an avid reader and loved developing photographs.
The family wrote, “Dennis was definitely on of a kind.  Wonderful friend to many people of 30 years or more.  He loved reading his Bible playing cribbage and reading Robert Service Poems.  He was a very colorful person who loved telling true life amazing stories.”
He was preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie Katsekures and father, Selwyn Patrick Douglas.
He is survived by his sons, Michael Lee Douglas of Soldotna and Dennis Lee Douglas of Arizona; Life Partner and Fiancé, Patricia Peyton of Happy Valley, AK; step-son, Nicholas Guarnere of Kenai and 5 grandchildren.
Memorial donations or condolences may be made in memory or Dennis to C/O Patricia Peyton – P.O. Box 39646 Ninilchik, AK 999639.
Arrangements made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel & Crematory. Please sign his online guestbook at AlaskanFuneral.com

Homer resident Thomas Phillip Greenwell, 75, died peacefully in his home surrounded by family on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015. Tom was born May 22, 1940 outside of Bardstown, Ky. Tom was raised and graduated high school in Fern Creek, Ky., and served in the Army as a medical technician during the Vietnam War.
Tom moved to Anchorage in 1969 where he met and married Tami Bassett in 1975. They traveled together to Homer during their honeymoon, and moved there shortly thereafter. Tom worked construction across the state of Alaska until his retirement in 1995. He traveled to remote locations and helped build many important Alaska infrastructure projects.
Tom loved music, singing and dancing throughout his life. He loved bluegrass and country music, as well as singing at the local Catholic church and various karaoke sessions with friends. Some of his happiest moments were spent on the Homer High School stage as a cast member of the yearly Nutcracker production.
Tom loved books and educational television programs, and had an insatiable thirst for learning anything new. Tom was forever working on his homes and loved the process of creating with his own hands. He took great pride in his children and their accomplishments. Tom was a 41-year friend of Bill W., and spent much of his time and energy in service to others.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Margaret Greenwell; brothers Daniel, Francis and Frederick; and sisters Beatrice and Dorothy. He is survived by his wife Tami; daughters Leslie, Megan, and Erin; his son Dugan; his grandchildren Sara Cameron and Emma; his sisters Lois, Mary, Patricia, Laura and Sarah; and his brothers James, William and George.
Arrangements were made by Homer Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Peter Eugene Biegel, 81, passed away from cancer on Nov. 7, 2015. He was at home in Soldotna with his family by his side.
Peter was born Oct. 4, 1934 in Wisconsin to Nell (Mohr) and Raymond Biegel. With eight of his brothers and sisters, the family moved to Arizona when he was nine. There, he attended high school at St. Mary’s in Phoenix.
Peter started college at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, Calif., but left to work for IBM after attending one year. He was drafted and served in the U.S. Army for two years  — until 1960.  During his army service, he met JoAnn Loretta Brenner. They married on June 18, 1960 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Moscow, Idaho.
Following his military service, Peter returned to work for IBM. With IBM, the family moved from Los Angeles to Juneau in 1963. Moves to Ketchikan, and finally Anchorage, followed. Peter completed 37 years of service with IBM as a systems engineer while living in Anchorage. He was then employed by AT&T for eight years in the same position. He graduated from the University of Alaska, Anchorage in 1979 (after 23 years of night school) with a degree in mathematics. Peter and JoAnn moved to Soldotna in 1999 to enjoy retirement in a house they built on the Kenai River.
Peter is survived by his best friend and wife of 55 years, JoAnn. Their nine children and 33 grandchildren will miss their grandpa: Denise (Dennis) Linnell and children Daniel and Dawn; David (Shelley) Biegel and children Molly, Hannah, David, Sophie and Nancy; Bryan Biegel and children Zachary and Beth; Mark Biegel and children Katie, Jenna and Mason; Glen (Christina) Biegel and children Mara, Reagan, Karina, Juliana, Thomas, Elena, Gregory, Matthew and Cara; Andrea (Robert) Hart and children Ann Marie, Joseph, Clare, Peter and Luke; Miriam (Mike) Fisher and children Audrey, Andrew, John, Teresa, Maggie and James; Alex Biegel; and Joshua (Linda) Biegel and child Morrigan. He is also survived by his brother, Phillip (Margie) Biegel.
Peter passed along his passion for reading by opening many western novels and reading out loud to the kids in the evening. He could fix anything, and built an aluminum boat with lots of help from the boys.
The boys remember hiking the Chilkoot Trail, floating 600 miles on the Yukon River with a hand-drawn map and his exceptional dedication to work. His humor and love of jokes will be greatly missed. He was the best husband, dad, grandfather, sometimes bush pilot and Alaska adventurer.
A funeral mass will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Soldotna. A reception will follow at the church hall. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Catholic Social Services would be most appreciated. A memorial mass will be held in Anchorage on Monday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church at 2901 E Huffman Rd. A reception will follow in the Miki Center.

Heather Ann Starling, born Dec. 3, 1949, died of natural causes on Nov. 6, 2015.
She is survived by three daughters and three sons, as well as 10 grand children and six great grand children.
Starling was born in Seattle and moved to Alaska 35 years ago. She lived her live loving all the things that came with what Alaska had to offer — for both her and her family. She was loved by all who knew her, and will be missed by all.
Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3 at the VFW in Anchor Point. All are welcome!

Fritz Creek resident, Mr. Cleon “Glenn” Cupit, 77, died Monday, Dec. 7, 2015 at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska.
Memorial services will be held at the Germania Masonic Lodge in New Orleans, La. at a later date.
Mr. Cupit was born Sept. 30, 1938 in New Orleans, La. He attended Lafayette Grammar School and graduated from Fortier Senior High. He also attended Tulane University and Lousiana State University, and was in the Army Reserve, Corp of Engineers in New Orleans. Glenn moved to Homer on Nov. 5, 2015, where he lived in Fritz Creek.
Glenn worked for both General Motors and Chevrolet, and was an automotive technical consultant in Baton Rouge. He retired from Baton Rouge Community College Aug. of 2015. He was a member of Masonic lodges across Louisiana, and was past master of Germania No. 46 in 2009. Glenn was a member of the Southern Gentleman Model Boat Club and crew chief for “Shazam,” a 7 litre hydroplane.
Glenn was widely and lovingly known by many as a selfless, giving and knowledgeable man. He never met a stranger and it didn’t take long for him to make you feel like family. Whether it was his real family, Masonic family or racing family, he made all feel special and loved.
Glenn possessed a wealth of knowledge of anything with a motor. He was the person many turned to over his lifetime for advice, and he always had an answer. He truly loved helping people accomplish projects and tasks that most would have considered impossible or impractical.
Glenn had a compassion and love for all animals. He could calm the wildest of creatures and make them a pet in record time. He never raised his voice or showed anger. There was always a calming presence wherever he was. That was one the reasons so many were drawn to him.
We have lost a great man, husband, father, brother and friend here on earth. Our loss is heaven’s gain. He would want all to take what knowledge he has imparted and “cackle on!”
Glenn’s last mission in life was to get him and his “bride,” Betty, to Alaska. He completed that mission! We love you!
We would like to thank the doctors, CNAs and nurses at South Peninsula Hospital for embracing us like family during Glenn’s illness. We will be forever grateful for your love and kindness.
Glenn was preceded in death by his father, Cleon L. Cupit and mother, Nellie May Pearce Cupit.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Bowman Cupit of Fritz Creek, Alaska; daughter, Rene (Norman) Cupit Danford of Gainesville, Va. and Bethany (Zachary) Cupit Casey of Fritz Creek, Alaska; son, Conrad (Tracie Rester) Glenn Cupit of Huntersville, N.C.; grandchildren, Jordan Cupit, Michael Danford, Katie Danford, Alexandra Casey, and Glenn Cupit Casey; brother, Robert Miles Cupit of Baton Rouge, and sister in-law, Claudia Savoy of Prairieville, La.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements were made by Homer Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Josef Recker was born Oct. 9, 1931 in Glandorf, Germany. He was the youngest of eight children born to Clemens and Lidwina Recker. Josef liked to say he was raised in Ohio, because it reminded him of the rural countryside of northern Germany. Many of us on the Kenai know him for his candid observations, great sense of humor and singing voice. Others may know him as a jokester, happy bicycler, frequent swimmer, serious coffee consumer, student at KBC and food bank volunteer. Josef was hard not to notice when he was present nearby.
He grew up during WWII, studied for the priesthood in Germany and Canada, becoming an ordained Roman Catholic Priest in 1959 in Ontario, Canada. From 1960-63, he was a parish priest in Cabalian, South Leyte Island in the Philippines. He moved to North Carolina, Newfoundland and then to California in 1969.
Josef also served as a tour guide to the Holy Lands, Athens, Rome, Scandinavia and Russia, as well as being the minister on the maiden sailing voyage of “The Space Ship: TS Hamburg” in 1969. During the 1960s, he also became proficient in painting with “Byzantine oils” (a type of tempura) and had four, one-person exhibits, selling many paintings. Only one of these is now locatable.
Josef became a naturalized U.S. Citizen in June, 1969. In the 1970s, he left the priesthood to become a real-estate salesman and broker in Northern California. There, he worked with his wife, Beatriz Llaneza Recker. Josef was awarded many “Outstanding Sales Achievement Awards.” Later, he was a civilian employee at McClellan Air Force Base in California.
In his “spare time” in the early 90s, Josef studied and received certificates from the American Institute of Vedic Studies, and in various healing modalities from The Healing Tao Center and the Jujitsu-Do Martial Arts and Healing Arts Center.
Having previously visited Alaska, Josef retired to the Kenai Peninsula around 2000, deciding to live in Homer in 2007. There, he would sit in his car for hours on Bishop’s Beach, watching the birds, the waves and “talking to God.”
Josef had a passion for an eclectic range of spiritual traditions and languages, delving into each with his characteristic enthusiasm and honed focus. Like many of us, Josef was a diamond in the rough; clear, sparkly and smooth on one side, while rough and prickly on the other. Josef is one multifaceted soul, a self-described “rascal,” a world traveler and a lifelong learner. He lived an adventuresome, intense and varied life. Once, he listed “world curiosity” as a reason for leaving a job. Now maybe his lifelong spiritual curiosity finally drew him Home.
A memorial service is being planned for after the first of the year. Please visit www.alaskanfuneral.com for updates on dates.

Longtime Alaskan and Soldotna resident, Mrs. Harriet Agnus Kinder, 76, died Dec. 23, 2015 at her home in Soldotna.
A celebration of her life will be held at 6 p.m.  Jan. 2, 2016 at The Soldotna Church of Christ. Pastor Tony Cloud will officiate.
Harriet was born July 4, 1939 in Parkersburg, W.V. She moved to Alaska in 1971, living in Anchor Point for a long while, before moving to West Virginia. After moving back to Alaska, she settled in Soldotna, where she was a member of the Soldotna Church of Christ.
Harriet loved crafts, card-making, embroidery, sewing, bible study and fellowship with friends.
The family wrote, “Harriet was a God-fearing Christian, extremely devoted to her husband and family. She was loved by many; always smiling and always willing to lend a helping hand. Loved by her family and friends, she was a strong woman and an inspiration to all who knew her. She is now in the Angel’s Choir.”
Harriet was preceded in death by her husband, Bud Kinder. She is survived by sons, Gilbert (Karen) Kinder of Auburn, Wash., and Randall (Julia) Kinder of Anchor Point; daughters, Kimberly (Ezra) Johnson of Soldotna; Diana (Andreí) Drake of Anchor Point, Linda (Jim) Nehren of Anchor Point, and Terri (Dennis Ferris) Jones of Mineral Wells, WV; she is also loved by many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great-grandchildren.
She will be greatly missed.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Harriet to The American Cancer Society, 3851 Piper St. U240, Anchorage, Alaska 99508.
Arrangements made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel and Crematory.

Ruth Anna Booth of Anchorage, 61, passed from this life Dec. 17, 2015. The fourth child born to Joseph and Peggy Booth on Feb. 20, 1954, Ruth and her six siblings grew up on the family homestead at the mouth of Stariski Creek in Anchor Point.
Ruth lived every day to the fullest and was a great friend and confidante to many. Her career was devoted to helping the terminally ill as the ultimate home health care provider. She was the essence of compassion and a living angel.†
Ruth is predeceased by her parents, her brother David Booth and niece Julie Ulmer. Left behind with warm and loving memories of her are her daughter, Trisha Mueller; sisters Cathie Ulmer, Emma Haase, Norma Cochran, Dovie Horton and Mary Stokes; approximately 50 nieces and nephews, along with many beloved friends.
Jeanie Reilly at Reilly’s in Anchorage will host a public celebration of Ruth’s life at 1 p.m., Jan. 17.

Earl John Kramer passed away peacefully in the early morning of Jan. 2, 2016 at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska. He died of natural causes with his nieces, Marlene and Kathy McDonough at his side.
Earl was born Dec. 12, 1936 in Green Bay, Wisc.
He graduated from Demark High School in 1955 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1957. He moved to Alaska 49 years ago, and worked as a pile driver, building many of the docks and bridges across Alaska.
After retiring from pile driving in the ‘80s, Earl moved from Anchorage to Homer, and became a business owner of the Glacier Building, Uncle Thirsty’s Liquor Store and the Down East Saloon.
Earl is known best by his quick wit and the best one-liners at the absolute right moment. He loved spending time with his friends telling stories.
The Down East Saloon became famous for his home-built pig roaster, and every Fourth of July, Earl fed the masses. Most holidays, he provided feasts at the Down East Saloon to show appreciation to his customers, as well as for those who had no other place to go.
He was a kind and gentle man who was loved by everyone who knew him. He will be sadly missed.
Earl loved fishing, clamming, gardening, reading and — of course — the Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed his “vanilla,” which those of you who knew him, know what that means.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Evelyn Kramer, a sister Dolores Van Roy and two brothers, Ben and Bob Kramer.
His remaining siblings, Chuck Kramer, Joe Kramer, Mary Baumgart, Patty Tebon and Jean Gillis live in Wisconsin. He has many nieces and nephews and too many friends to count.
A celebration of Earl’s life will be held Jan. 16 at the Down East Saloon. Please join us from 3-6 p.m. Bring stories you want to share!
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.

Robert O. Wilfong, 49 of Nikiski, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, Jan. 4, 2016.
Robert was born to John Sr. and Luella (Johnson) Wilfong on Friday, Sept. 30, 1966 in Tacoma, Wash.
Robert moved with his family to Alaska in 1967, first living in Seward and later moving to Nikiski in 1985. He graduated from Soldotna High School and worked in the past for Tim’s Janitorial and most recently for Frontier Community Services.
His family said, “Robert was a loving person who touched the lives of many people in the communities of Seward and Nikiski. He will be missed.”
Robert was preceded in death by his father, John. He is survived by his mother, Luella Yezierski-Jones of Nikiski; stepfather, Phillip Yezierski; brothers, John Jr. of Bellingham, Wash.and Gus of Nikiski; sister, Sophie Yezierski of Homer; nieces, Kelly Gilliam and Kaiai Yezierski and nephew, Phillip Holmes all of Nikiski.
A memorial service was held Jan. 8, at Aurora Heights Worship Center in Kenai. Pastor Randall Harrison officiated.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Robert’s name may be given to Central Peninsula Special Olympics, PO Box 1676 Kenai, AK 99611 or at http://specialolympicsalaska.org/central-peninsula/
Visit www.alaskanfuneral.com to sign Robert’s online guestbook.

Eva Lucia Saulitis

Renowned Alaskan writer and marine biologist, Eva Lucia Saulitis, age 52, was carried into her beloved eternal wilderness on the spirited wings of dear friend and mentor Celia Hunter’s dogsled, in the early afternoon of Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 from her home in Homer.
Eva’s writing touched countless lives with her powerfully honest and generous sharing of her journey with breast cancer, through her Caring Bridge site and in her published works including her nonfiction memoir, Into Great Silence (Beacon Press, 2013), two poetry collections, Many Ways to Say It (Red Hen Press, 2012) and Prayer in Wind (Boreal Books/Red Hen Press, 2015) and her recently completed collection of essays, Becoming Earth (Boreal Books/Red Hen Press, release date 2017). Her first book, a collection of essays entitled Leaving Resurrection Chronicles of a Whale Scientist, was published in 2008 by Boreal Books.
Her essays, poems and reviews have appeared in many journals and anthologies including Orion, The Sun, The Northwest Review, Prairie Schooner, Alaska Quarterly Review, Quarterly West, Crazyhorse and The Utne Reader. She was recently profiled in the Anchorage Daily News We Alaskans section, and just days before her death, received news of her receipt of the Homer Arts Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014, she was recognized with an Alaska Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities. She was also the recipient of writing awards and fellowships from the Rasmuson Foundation, the Alaska Humanities Forum, the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the Island Institute.
Writing and teaching were lifelong passions that began with her first diary at age six and ending with her final journal entry just two days before her death. She received an M.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1993 and completed her second master’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1999. She was an associate professor in the University of Alaska Anchorage Low-Residency MFA program, and continued to mentor her graduate students even during the final weeks of her life, telling us that teaching nourished and healed her.
She remembered with fondness her years spent teaching at the Kachemak Bay Campus of Kenai Peninsula College in Homer, AK, where she shared her craft with local students, friends and neighbors. Eva never turned down the opportunity to read and provide her insights into the works of other writers, from whom she felt she learned just as much as she taught. And her stepchildren, nieces and nephews benefited greatly from her honest and loving critiques of college essays, medical school applications and high school assignments. She had the powerful ability to connect each student with their own innate writer’s voice. The annual Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference in Homer, of which she was a founder, lives on as a part of her prolific legacy.
While her home address was in Homer, she always felt that her true home was found in Prince
William Sound where for the past 27 years, together with her life partner Craig Matkin, she studied killer whales. Eva brought her keen gift of observation, her profound love and respect for all living creatures, her adventurous spirit and her spiritual connection to the earth with her wherever she traveled, worked or lived.
When not spending long hours looking through binoculars in the quest to “find the whales” in the waters of Prince William Sound, she could be found hiking the islands of the Sound, picking buckets of wild blueberries and salmonberries while calling out to hidden bears, hunkering down in Squire Cove to ride out weather in the cabin of their boat which she had turned into a cozy home complete with homemade curtains, preparing “Hot Dish”, a mixture of egg noodles, fresh caught fish, cream of mushroom soup and lots of cheese; a meal somehow only delicious when prepared in the field, cooking fresh-caught fish over an open fire, or sharing stories, music, tears and laughter with friends. Her final resting place will be in her true home.
But Eva was so much more than a scientist, whale researcher, poet, essayist and writer. To her family and friends, she was our heart and soul. Raised by first generation Latvian immigrant parents in rural Western New York State, Eva carried a deep awareness of the powerful influence of one’s cultural and family history on personal identity. Overcoming childhood adversity borne of her family’s history in World War II Eastern Europe, Eva strove to foster the positive aspects of her upbringing in her own life including her love of raising and preserving her own food from her prolific garden, learning and passing on the traditional crafts of making Latvian Easter eggs and baking Latvian bread, and loyalty to one’s family whether biological or adopted.
We all benefited from Eva’s ability to make just about any situation fun, or at least funny, through her sharp wit, her penchant for giving personal names to inanimate objects and finding peculiar but always perfectly fitting nicknames for just about everybody, her various nutty personas and by being the best ever Auntie Eva and stepmom through all kinds of crazy adventures and creations. Everything was more fun with her around.
For the past 15 years, she and Craig have split their time between homes they built in Homer and Kapa’au, Hawaii. In each of these places and everywhere she lived throughout her life, Eva created community and family. Though a quiet person at heart, she magically drew people into her circle through her kindness, empathy, sense of humor and willingness always to lend a hand or an ear to someone in need.
She served both as a volunteer and board member of the Bunnell Street Arts Center, participated each year in the creation of Homer’s Burning Basket, helped with the annual hay baling on the Kilcher homestead and spent hours beside her friend Peter Risley, harvesting and selling his garden bounty at the weekly farmers’ market in Hawi, Hawaii.
Despite an early career path change from professional oboe studies at Northwestern University to earning her environmental science degree from Syracuse University, she continued to enjoy sharing her musical talent through teaching private oboe lessons, playing in small chamber groups and especially by playing Irish tunes alongside her dear friend,
David Grimes. And as a prolific writer and master wordsmith, all of us (except, of course, Mike Gratz and Peter Gurche) were subjected to multiple humiliating losses in Scrabble and Bananagrams.
Eva is survived by her true love and life partner, Craig Matkin, and the lights of her life, her stepchildren, Eve (Eivin) Kilcher and Elli (Peter) and Lars Matkin(Alisa) and grandchildren, Findlay and Sparrow Kilcher. She will be missed forever by her sister and best friend Mara Liebling (Jon) of Bainbridge Island, Wash., and brothers Andy Saulitis (Kathy) of Darien, CT and John Saulitis (Susie) of Mineral Ridge, OH and her dear nieces and nephews: Phoebe, Sam and Quinn Liebling, John, Peter and Kathryn Saulitis, Emily and Anna Saulitis, and Shanti and Jason Matkin.
Together in grief are many relatives throughout the United States, Canada and Latvia, especially brothers-in-law, Roger Matkin and his wife MiSook, Kirk Matkin and his wife, Sandra of Southern California, and her “other brother,” Jon Liebling of Bainbridge Island, Wash., as well as countless friends, neighbors, colleagues and followers of her writing. Her loyal companion and guardian, GrisGris, remains behind.
She was predeceased in the last year by her mother, Asja Ivins Saulitis, and previously by her father, Janis Saulitis, beloved Tante Vala and cousin John Niedra. As her spirit soared, she was greeted in the eternal wilderness by her Hawaiian dogs Kea and Boo, as well as by 16 Chugach transient killer whales from the AT1 pod of Prince William Sound.
In words that could only flow from Eva’s heart to her pen, she left us with this message: “There is nothing more I needed in this life, except more of what was already given to me. It was a good day to die, because it was such a good life to have lived.”
A celebration of Eva’s honorable life will be held in Homer when spring comes.
In lieu of flowers and to honor Eva and her legacy of writing and teaching, donations are welcomed to the Eva Saulitis Endowment Scholarship Fund through the University of Alaska Anchorage University Advancement www.uaa.alaska.edu/advancement/
Please visit www.alaskanfuneral.com to leave online condolences.

George R. Farmer

George R. (Pilgrim) Farmer
Oct. 20, 1945 – Jan. 19, 2016
Longtime Anchor Point resident George R. (Pilgrim) Farmer, 70, passed away Jan. 19, 2016 of cancer. He is survived by his brother, Don, and niece, Amy, and many cousins and friends. He lived in Anchor Point since 1979, with a few sojourns to Fairbanks, Wasilla and Talkeetna.
George was born in Oregon on Oct. 20, 1945 and was raised in Nevada and Idaho. From 1963-1966, he received the rank of sergeant in the United States Air Force. He lived and worked in Florence, Ore. between 1970 and 1979.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 at the VFW in Anchor Point. For more information, call Karen 235-5253