Jeremy Eugene Stearns

Big Lake resident Jeremy Eugene Stearns, 27, died Aug. 8, 2011, after a long fight with cancer at the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

Memorial services are at 2 p.m., Sept. 24, at the Salvation Army Church, 209 West Evergreen Street in Palmer. Lt. Mark Davey will officiate.

Jeremy was born July 30, 1984, in Modesto, Calif. He moved to Alaska in 1989 and graduated from high school. He was a member of the Salvation Army Church since birth. Jeremy was a collector of Hot Wheels and Legos. He loved to swim and play video games.

“Jeremy never knew a stranger and had a smile for everyone. He loved his family, his dog and God. Jeremy is loved by many and missed by all. We love you, Jeremy,” wrote the family.

Jeremy was preceded in death by his grandfather, James Earl Stearns; great-grandmother, Bertha “Granny” Jennings; and brother-in-law, Jason Poole. He is survived by his mother and step-father, Evelyn Stearns and John Edwards of Big Lake; sister and brother-in-law, Amanda and Chris Alvarado of Sumter, S.C.; sister, Shaila Poole of Big Lake; nephews, Daniel Perrault of Fairbanks, Christopher Stearns of Big Lake and Cody Alvarado of Sumter, S.C.; nieces, Ashley Alvarado of Sumter, S.C., and Alexandria Poole of Big Lake; grandmother, Floy Manning of Haines; grandparents, Bridgette and “Grizz” Berg of Aniwa, Wisc.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family, P.O. Box 520545, Big Lake, AK 99652.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family.