JESSE E. GIBSON

Wasilla resident Jesse Elwood Gibson, 89, died of natural causes at his home March 25, 2004.

A memorial service will be held at Farm Loop Christian Center, Mile .8 Farm Loop Road in Palmer on Wednesday, at 2 p.m. Pastor John Wilson will officiate.

His ashes will be buried at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Fair Oaks, Calif., with those of his wife of 53 years, Mrs. Ruth Gibson.

Mr. Gibson was born Dec. 8, 1914, in Uniondale, Penn.

He became a resident of Alaska in 1989, living in Wasilla.

Mr. Gibson was employed as a mechanical engineer until his retirement in 1976.

He was a member of Farm Loop Christian Center.

Mr. Gibson was involved as a volunteer with the Alzheimer's Support group and participated in walks and other activities over the years.

His family wrote that he enjoyed fishing, hunting, stamp collecting and rock hounding. "He was known by many as a great story teller," they said.

Mr. Gibson is survived by his daughters Barbara Kniese of Orangevale, Calif., and Gloria Brown of Palmer; step-daughter Ruth Graham of Wasilla; granddaughter Jean Kniese; grandsons Terry Kniese, Martin Heskett, Dwight Heskett, Ronald Heskett, Michael Eakens and Matthew Eakens; 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.