Peter J. McDonnell, 59, died Feb. 29, 2008 at I Care assisted living home in Wasilla after a brief battle with lung cancer.

The funeral Mass, officiated by Father Bill Fournier, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla. Viewing will precede the Mass at 10:30 a.m. and a reception will be in the social hall following Mass.

McDonnell was born June 14, 1948 in Philadelphia, Penn. He graduated from Ridley High School, class of 1967, in Ridley Township, Penn. He came to Palmer in 1997 to help care for his aging mother who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Being self-employed, he was involved with selling jewelry at the local craft fairs in the Mat-Su area. “Peter loved living in Alaska,” his family wrote. “He was an avid walker who enjoyed fishing and hiking. He was a wonderful son, a caring brother and a wonderful uncle, who was a gracious person with a kind and gentle spirit. He was greatly loved and will be missed not just by his family, but by all who knew him.”

Peter is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Nancy and Chuck Kent and nephew Brenden Kent of Wasilla; and aunt Helen McHugh of Blackwood, N.J. He was predeceased by his parents Peter and Anne McDonnell and two brothers Patrick and Paul McDonnell.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Palmer Senior Center Transportation Department, 745-5454.

Valley Funeral Homes and Crematory of Wasilla & Palmer assisted the family.