FRED SLATHER

Wasilla resident Fred Richard Slather, 75, died April 15, 2002, at Providence Alaska Medical Center.

A memorial service, with military honors, was at 2 p.m. Wednesday, at VFW Post No. 9365, 301 E. Lakeview Ave., in Wasilla, with Roy Wallis officiating. Mr. Slather's ashes will be scattered at sea.

Mr. Slather was born July 12, 1926, in Hammond, Ind. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He came to Alaska in September 1972, and never left.

He was employed as an operating engineer in Indiana and Wisconsin, and as a commercial fisherman in Alaska.

His family said, "He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather."

Survivors are his wife, Edna (Punky) Slather; mother, Clara E. Slather; sons and daughters-in-law, Richard Slather, Edward Slather, Walt and Vivian Slather and Fritz and Kimberly Slather; daughters and son-in-law, April Laier and Johanna and Lester Dunphrey; brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Dellarae Slather; grandchildren, Debby and Chris Laier, Maria Slather, Andrew and Shelly Shong, John and Jessica Slather, Brad and Marty Sherwood, Quinn Dunphrey, and Crystal, Amanda, Fred and Frank Slather; and great-grandchildren, Alexis and Mathew Shong.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory.