Aug. 11, 2006

CHARLES W. WILLIAMS JR.

Charles W. Williams Jr. 77, died July 30, 2006, at his home in Meadow Lakes. No local services will be held. His family has planned a service for him in White City, Ore.

He was born March 12, 1929, in Santa Rose, Calif. He gradated from high school and then went on to serve in the U.S. Navy for two years.

He moved to Houston in 1996 and lived there until his passing.

He was employed as a logger in Oregon, Northern California and Alaska. In 1992, he retired from the Navy in Oregon. Some of his hobbies included being down at the river and spending time at the lake.

His family stated, &#8220Everyone who met Charlie love him. He was loved by all and will be missed by many people.”

He is survived by his son, Charles W. Williams III of Anchorage; daughter, Candice Belikoff of White City; daughter, Regina Meyering of White City; son, Frank Williams of Wasilla; daughter-in-law, Jerri Williams of Anchorage; daughter-in-law, Marianne Williams of Wasilla; son-in-law Dan Meyering of White City; and many grandchildren in Alaska and Oregon.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Williams; and brothers, Aurther Williams, Robert Williams, Clifford Williams and Lenord Williams.

Memorial donations can be made to the Hospice Foundation. His remains will be buried in White City.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory, Wasilla.

JAMES M. BROWN

James M. Brown, dubbed &#8220lead dog of Iditarod photographers” by the Anchorage Daily News, died in his sleep Aug. 3, 2006, in Palmer, at the age of 91.

A celebration of life is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, 2006, at the Grand View Inn and Suites in Wasilla.

Born in Huron, S.D., last of four children, to Christine McCaslin Brown and Frederic Dill Brown, he was a photographer for the Minneapolis Star after graduation from Marshall High School in 1933. This was in the time of photographic plates, before the use of film.

In 1937, he married Alvi Ojennus, and moved to Anchorage in 1939 on Alaska Steamship Lines. Alvi and son Jim followed in 1940. By the start of World War II, James Brown was working as a brakeman for the Alaska Railroad and, with a move to Fairbanks in 1944, as conductor and yardmaster.

Family memories range from a summer living in a boxcar in Curry with his wife and two small sons to a few years later shoving those same sons away from their model train to work out switching problems for his yard crew.

In the 1950s, he was the official photographer for the Alaska Dog Mushers' Association in Fairbanks. He retired from the Alaska Railroad in 1964, and moved to Michigan. After the death of his wife, he moved to Wasilla in 1977, and returned to the mushing world as official photographer for the Iditarod Trail Race, continuing until 2000 and receiving the Spirit of the Iditarod Award in 1993.

James Brown was also an accomplished flutist and served as founding president of the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra. He was a charter member of the Fairbanks Civic Band, the Anchorage Community Concert Band and the Mat-Su College Community Band. He photographed musicians in Fairbanks from the 40s through the 90s.

For 20 years, he was a member of the College of Fellows of the University of Alaska. As a cancer survivor, he mentored colostomy patients at Valley Hospital in Palmer.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alvi; and his sisters, Frederica Bishop, Marion Lenhart and Elizabeth Chase.

James Brown is survived by sons, Jim Brown of Anchorage and Fred Brown of Fairbanks; daughters-in-law ,Dean Brown of Wasilla, Helen Brown of Fairbanks and Gladys Brown of Anchorage; granddaughters and spouses, Robin and Paul Reindl of Anchorage, and Shelly Brown and George Hearin of Wasilla; step-grandson, Johnny Duplantis and daughter Jessica Duplantis of Anchorage; and step-grandson and spouse, James and Pam Duplantis of Anchorage; plus eight nephews and nieces and their children and grandchildren in the Lower 48.

Arrangements are with Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.

EDWARD ARTHUR PORTERFIELD

Edward Arthur Porterfield, 80, died Aug. 6, 2006, at his home in Trapper Creek.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Trapper Creek Fellowship on Petersville Road in Trapper Creek. Elliot Graves will officiate. A celebration of his life will follow the service.

He was born April 3, 1926, in Lyman, S.D., and graduated from Reliance High School in South Dakota in 1944. He served two years in the U.S. Navy and moved to Trapper Creek in 1962. He also lived in Nelchina from 1972 to 1973.

He went to work for the Alaska State Department of Transportation in 1963, retiring in 1981.

He was a member of the Methodist Church and American Legion, and was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. His hobbies included woodworking, music and dancing. He also played the harmonica and enjoyed playing cards.

Art homesteaded with his family in Trapper Creek in 1963, where he owned and operated a two-bit, two-cow cattle ranch where he lived until his death. He was involved in the development of Trapper Creek as a community and was a presence in everything that went on. He was a staunch supporter of Trapper Creek softball teams and always was there with encouragement from the sidelines. He also was active in the Cabin Fever Reliever Celebration.

He enjoyed and always was ready for a nickel, dime and quarter poker game, He taught all of his grandkids to play and enjoy any card game.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne of Talkeetna; daughter and son-in-law, Kae and Ray Yauchler of Madera Beach, Fla.; son, Ben Porterfield of Anchorage; daughters, Janel of Trapper Creek, Ardis of Palmer and Danielle and husband Tim of Seattle; grandsons, Aaron Loseh of Tallahasse, Fla., Tyler Porterfield of Fairbanks, Levi Porterfield of Trapper Creek, Michael and Benjamin Porterfield of Palmer, and Trevor Heiner of Seattle; and granddaughters, Emily Porterfield of Palmer and Caley Heiner of Seattle.

He also is survived by his sisters and brothers-in-law, as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Steve and Lily Porterfield; sisters, Franny and Lollie; and brother, Jack Porterfield.

Valley Funeral Home of Wasilla handled arrangements.

MARILYN RUTH RHODES

Marilyn Ruth Rhoades, 72, died Aug. 8, 2006, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer. The funeral will be 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, 2006, at the Wasilla Assembly of God Church on Riley Street. Public viewing will be from 3-4 p.m. The Revs. Ed Kalnins and Paul Riley will officiate. Interment will follow at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery.

She was born Aug. 20, 1933, in Salem, Ore. She graduated from the University of Oregon with B.A. in education and a degree in teaching. She also attended Canyonville Bible School.

She lived in Oregon prior to moving to Alaska in 1967, where she lived in a logging camp in Southeast and taught as a school marm in a one-room school. She also served as a bookkeeper for Consteel for many years.

She was affiliated with Wasilla Assembly of God for 32 years. Some of her interests included playing many musical instruments, such as the violin, accordion, organ and piano. She loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Hawaii and across the United States, as well as Hong Kong. She enjoyed living in Yuma, Ariz., during the winter, and returned to Alaska to live with her family during spring and summer.

Her family stated, &#8220She was a loving wife and mother. She cared deeply for all her family, friends and church family. With her gift of hospitality, she opened her heart and home to many. She had a ministry of giving books, and wrote letters to people to encourage them in their faith. Her passion for Jesus was greater than any other desire. Her vision for her family was that each one knows Jesus in a close relationship.

&#8220Everyone she spoke with always heard about the goodness of God. Mom has been a prayer warrior for our family and the church body, interceding for the needs of others.”

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Clyde Rhoades; five children, Rodney and Stina Rhoades, Karen and Walt Erickson, Darrell and Beth Karen Rhoades, Gail and Roger Toci, and Gary and Pam Rhoades; along with 18 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.