John Ace Sr.

Longtime Kenai resident John Robert Ace Sr., 88, died Nov. 29, 2007 at Providence Wesley Care Center in Seward. He is the father of John Ace Jr. of Palmer and grandfather to several Mat-Su Valley residents.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Dec. 4 at Peninsula Memorial Chapel, 5839 Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai. Pastor Roy Moore will officiate. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Military honors will be provided by VFW Post 10046 and American Legion Post 20. Ace’s ashes will be laid to rest next to his wife, Margaret “Tiny” Ace, at Bear Creek Cemetery in Petrolia, Pa.

Ace was born Feb. 28, 1919, to Hays and Katherine (Lowers) Ace in Petrolia. He entered the U.S. Army at Fort Lee, Va., and served during World War II until he was honorably discharged Jan. 7, 1946. He worked in the coal mines of Pennsylvania and for ARMCO Steel Mill Construction, Castle Rubber Co. and was a service mechanic all near his hometown of Chicora, Pa. He moved to Kenai in July 1983.

Ace attended Mt. Redoubt Baptist Church and the Kenai Church of God. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and storytelling.

Known as “Pop Pop,” Ace will be remembered for his friendly, mild nature and dedication to family. He had a special love for trout fishing and silver salmon fishing on the Kenai lakes and streams. He would always be seen with his wife at a favorite spot at Cunningham Park on the Kenai River in the early fall.

Ace was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Margaret Ace; parents, Hays and Katherine Ace; brothers, Roy, Albert, Richard and Clydee; sisters, Myrtle, Gertrude, Bertha, Mable, Marie, Gladys and Dorthy.

He is survived by son, John Ace Jr. of Palmer; daughter, Kitty Thompson of Kenai; grandsons, Mathew Ace of Valdez, Andrew Ace of Big Lake, Aaron and Bryce Thompson of Anchorage and Brad Thompson of Kenai; granddaughters, Jené Hodges of Palmer, Angie Marden of Palmer, Robin Newland of Wasilla, Sue Aquipel of San Mateo, Calif., Connie Zanazzo of Fairbanks and Viorica Thompson of Kenai; brothers, Lenord Ace of Chicora and Charles Ace of Bruin, Pa.; sister, Jean Scott of Petrolia; 27 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Heritage Place, Attn: Resident Council, 232 Rockwell Ave. Soldotna, AK 99669.

Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.