James Elisha “Pat” Eller, 87, died Sept. 23, 2008 at home in Wasilla.

A private family service was held with Masonic Past Master WB Russell Sanders of Matanuska Lodge No.7 officiating with a military honor guard detail rendering honors. Future services will be held in Skiatook, Okla., at a later date.

Eller was born April 7, 1921 in Talequah, Okla., graduating from Skiatook High School in 1937. He attended Officers Military Training School, journeyman training for ornamental ironworkers and electronics technical school. He served as an officer in World War II, the Korean War and US Army ORC. He was a disabled veteran as a result of his service.

He was a construction worker at the Manhattan Project in Hanford, Wash., (Plutonium Project Reactor) late 1942 to 1943. Eller worked as an ornamental journeyman Ironworker but quickly rose to superintendent of construction on sites such as the U.S. Air Force Academy and various federal buildings. He also worked on JFK Airport in New York and was construction superintendent on the John Hancock Building in Chicago, Ill. He traveled extensively for consulting and “troubleshooting” on various commercial, state and federal building construction, especially those utilizing “hanging glass” high rise construction. He was the owner of PatCo Oil Co. in Oklahoma.

He retired in California from construction work after being injured in 1974 and because his war disabilities had become too disabling to allow him to work construction any longer. He continued work in the oil business for several more decades. He moved to Wasilla in 2001.

He was a 52-year member of Masonic Lodge, Skiatook Lodge No. 416. His retirement interests included e-mailing friends, gardening, pool and fishing.

“He will be greatly missed by so many from across the nation,” his family wrote. “We are glad he was able to live such an interesting and varied life.”

Mr. Eller is survived by three daughters: Dayna Pat Wescott of Henderson, Nev., Linnette Eller Booth and Janeal Elisha Eller of Wasilla; granddaughters LeeAnn Crawford of Los Angeles, Calif., Jessica Linn Gunn of Wasilla; grandsons Shawn Alan Young of North Carolina, Jason James Ford of San Diego, Calif., Justin Vance Beavers of Anchorage; great-granddaughters Lindsey Ann of Anchorage, Rainie Linn of Wasilla, Dylan Elise of San Diego; brother Lee R. Eller of Tulsa, Okla.; a nephew and many great nephews and nieces nationwide.

He was preceded in death by son Gary Lee Eller, parents Alfred and Della Eller, brothers Everet and John Eller and sister Gladys Martin.

His ashes will be honored in Ocean Beach, Calif., and final resting place will be in Skiatook, Okla.

Valley Funeral Homes & Crematory of Palmer and Wasilla Assisted the Family.