David Merle Buckwalter

Longtime Alaska resident David Merle Buckwalter, 59, passed away suddenly Feb. 9, 2015, at Mat-Su Regional Hospital, Palmer.

A celebration of life is at 6 p.m., March 26 at Big Lake Lions Recreation Center.

David was born on Aug. 30, 1955, in Anchorage and has lived in Alaska ever since. He attended Service High School. After high school he had a variety of jobs including being an airboat charter captain and a self-employed carpenter. He also worked for Arctic Structures in Palmer for several years. David enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, snowmachining and spending time with his family.

Surviving are his daughter, Angela Thomas; son, Charlie Potter; daughter, Ashley Svedin; daughter, Amanda Sisler; daughter, Casey Buckwalter; son, Daniel Buckwalter; sisters, Tina Kruger, Linda Moore and Marianne Larson; brother, Dan Buckwalter; granddaughters, Kayla Welton and Julia Thomas; grandsons, Nathan Welton, Phoenix Thomas and Micah Thomas; and great grandsons, Nickolai Welton and Wyatt Riek.

He was preceded in death by wife, Kimberly Buckwalter; father, Francis Merle Buckwalter; mother, Marian Buckwalter; and sister, Laurie Buckwalter.

Arrangements were cared for by Valley Funeral Home, Wasilla Chapel.