DONNAVON SHANIGAN

Donnavon Shane Shanigan, 32, died June 22, 2008, at the Mat-Su Resort in Wasilla. A celebration of his life will begin at noon June 28 at the Word of Faith Assembly, 3701 E. Bogard Road, across from the Boys and Girls Club in Wasilla.

Shanigan was born Feb. 16, 1976, in Lewiston, Idaho. He came to Alaska in 1984, residing first in Eagle River until 1986. He attended Chugiak High School and Alaska Vocational Center in Seward.

At the time of his death, Shanigan was working for Nabors Drilling and had also had worked for Kenworth of Alaska, Alaska Marine transport, ERA Aviation, Peterpan Seafoods and Yute Air Alaska. He competed in the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics in 1999 and the dog weight pulls with his dog Snow from 2001-2006.

His family states, “The big, all-man exterior of my first born son hid an emotional heart that cared deeply about family and friends. He didn’t always know how to express that love and caring,” and, “My Daddy loved to take us camping and fishing. I liked wrestling with him and playing X-Box with him,” and, “I Love you and will always miss you, bro.”

Shanigan is survived by his children, Nichole and Nathan Shanigan of Wasilla; mother Jeanette Shanigan of Wasilla; brother Shawn Shanigan of Wasilla; half-sister Krystal Elliott of Utah; grandfather Calvin Malley of Kennewick, Wash.; uncles Douglas Malley of Kennewick, Wash., and Rick Malley of Yukon, Okla.; aunts Linda Small of Kennewick, Wash., Marlane Shanigan and Nikki Shanigan of Wasilla, Frieda Byers of Anchorage and Kari Stiles of Minnesota; cousins Michael Malley of Wasilla and Terrence Shanigan of Sheep Creek; and many other cousins and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gordon; grandmother, Glenna Malley; grandfather, Nick Shanigan; grandmother, Mary Henderson; uncle, James Shanigan; and cousin, “Sonny” Shanigan.

Memorial donations may be made to any Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, account No. 270440.

Valley Funeral homes & Crematory of Palmer and Wasilla assisted the family.