BRUCE L. VAN BUSKIRK

Wasilla resident Bruce L. Van Buskirk, 70, died of heart failure Jan. 17 in Fairbanks.

Funeral services will be held today, Jan. 24 at 11 a.m. at the Wasilla Assembly of God Church, 125 W. Riley, in Wasilla. Interment will follow at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery. A reception will be held at church following interment. Pall bearers will include Bill Van Buskirk, Bruce S. Van Buskirk, Lucas Van Buskirk, Christopher Van Buskirk, Michael B. Van Buskirk and Rome Gilman. His family will officiate service.

Mr. Van Buskirk was born Sept. 21, 1932, in Newcastle, Nebraska. He graduated high school in Garfield, Wash.

He served in the U.S. Air Force and was a Korean War veteran.

He moved to Alaska in 1969 and lived in Anchorage and Ketchikan before moving to Wasilla.

Mr. Van Buskirk was the owner of Wolverine Supply Inc., formerly known as Wolverine Aluminum.

He was a member of The Assembly of God Church in Anchorage. He was an active philanthropist within the community.

He enjoyed woodworking, boating, playing cards, fishing, hunting, flying, sports and all of his grandchildren's activities.

His family remembers, "Bruce, usually called Dad or Papa, was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend who lived for his wife and family. He was God-fearing, hard-working, honest, and sincere, and all who knew him were touched and blessed by it. He was also sincerely dedicated to putting other's needs before his own. Anyone who knew him was a much richer person for it. His wealth can be measured by his overflowing love for all he knew. This pillar of a man, who was the heart of our family, will be greatly missed."

Mr. Van Buskirk is survived by his children Leland Van Buskirk, Connie Van Hoof, Debbie Ingram, Michael Van Buskirk, Marc Van Buskirk and Deanna Gilman; his brother, Frances Van Buskirk; sisters Mary Louise Koskovich, Emily Ann Lienweber, Elsie Mae Burman, Pearl Rose McGill and Violet Marie Morrison; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Jeanette Faye Van Buskirk, and his brothers Thomas Wendell Van Buskirk and Lyle Van Buskirk.

Memorial donations may be made to Wasilla Aurora Cemetery for general maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery, 290 E. Herning Avenue, Wasilla AK 99654.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home of Wasilla.