Dec. 15, 2006

William Gordon Willhite

William Gordon Willhite, 41, died Aug. 4, 2006, at his home in Willow.

He was born April 1, 1965, in Oslo, Norway, to Richard and Rosa Willhite. He moved to Alaska in 1968.

He worked as a mechanic at various places and did other odds and ends.

He enjoyed fishing and the outdoors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Rosa Willhite.

He is survived by his stepfather, Curtis Behn of Willow; former wives, Thelma Bowersox and Cynthia Dowle; children, Michael and Adrianna, and William and April Willhite; sisters, Vansia Brown of Sedro Wooley, Wash., Wanda Hamilton of Eva Beach, Hawaii, and Anita Dalton of Concord, N.C.; and by several nieces and nephews.

Local arrangements were provided by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.

Burt Cronk

Longtime Cordova resident Burt Cronk, 90, died Nov. 20, 2006, at Cordova City Medical Center in Cordova of natural causes.

He was born Jan. 24, 1916, in Aberdeen, Wash., to Della and Warren Cronk.

He came to Alaska in 1938. He started out in Fairbanks where he worked mostly as a power plant operator then he joined the U.S. Army and worked as a power plant operator as well. He moved to Cordova in 1947 and operated a crab cannery with his brother Milt at Yelpers Cove on Hinchen Brook Island. The cannery closed in 1953 when he moved to town and made his living gillnetting, crab fishing and clam digging. He lived at the Alaskan Hotel for 30 years and then moved to Sunset View.

He enjoyed dancing and a good poker party in his younger days.

He is survived by his sister, Phyllis, of Washington.

He was cremated and his ashes will be spread around his favorite places near Cordova.

Local arrangements were provided by Witzleben Family Funeral Home and Crematory.

Margaret Jean Holbrook

Margaret Jean Holbrook, 75, died Dec. 11, 2006, at her home in Anchorage.

A service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006, at All Saints Episcopal Church. The Rev. Norman H.V. Elliott of All Saints Episcopal Church will officiate.

She was born Oct. 8, 1931, in Coatesville, Penn. She moved to Anchorage in 1955. She was a homemaker.

She was an Election Day volunteer and was involved with Nine Star Literacy Program. She enjoyed bowling and stamping.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Allan J. Holbrook.

She is survived by her son, Robert Holbrook; daughter and son-in-law, Marla and Gary Petersen; grandson, Eric; and brother, Richard C. Gilfillan of Pennsylvania.

Memorial donations can be made to Providence Hospice, 3435 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage AK 99507.

Burial will be at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery.

Local arrangements were provided by Witzleben Family Funeral Home and Crematory.