John James Mitchell

Chugiak resident John James Mitchell, 84, died July 7, 2006, at home surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held in Anchorage on Aug. 11, 200,6 at 4:30 p.m. at Central Lutheran Church, with Pastor Marcia Wakeland officiating. Internment to be at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

Born May 22, 1922, John served in the Army as a medic in WW II. He came to Alaska in 1961, where he homesteaded in Palmer. Before moving to Alaska, John owned Mitchell Contractors with his father. He also worked as a self-employed contractor and commercial fished in Homer. John retired as superintendent of building and grounds at Alaska Methodist University. He was active in the Lutheran Church, and enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.

John was dearly loved husband, father and grandfather. He was a hard-working man dedicated to providing for his family. His move to Alaska in 1961 fulfilled a lifetime dream. Once here he took full advantage of what Alaska had to offer. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and especially enjoyed his homesteading experience. He loved construction work and took pride in being able to share these skills with family members. John faced the struggles of the last years of his life with courage and faith. His sense of humor remained strong. He was dearly loved and will be remembered for the way he touched the lives of those around him.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Glenna Mitchell; daughters Linda Lamareau, Evelyn Sampson and Teresa Gorup; son-in-laws Al Lamoreau and Jim Sampson; grandchildren Kurt and Kenny Lamareaux, Peter Mitchell, Jacob Gorup, Duski Hill, Amber, Melissa, and Brian Sampson, Ashlee Johnson; and great-grandchildren Jordan, Jachin, Lindsay, Ethan, Logan, Lucas, Yasmine, Zoe, Tatum, Tyler, Chase, Elias; and sister Evelyn Steiner of Oregon.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Vera, and their son James Mitchell, a.nd granddaughter Kori Gorup.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to the following organizations. Denali Hospice, 3935 Reka Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508 or Alzheimer Resource Agency of Alaska, 1750 Abbott Road, Anchorage, AK 99507

Anchorage Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Sally Pearl

Pearson

Anchorage resident Sally Pearl Jones, 80, died Aug. 3, 2006 at her home. She was born June 8, 1936 in Holyoke, Colo.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon Friday at the Lake Hood Chapel of the Church of Latter-day Saints of Jesus Christ. A funeral service will be held at noon on Friday, Aug. 11, 2006 at the Lake Hood Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bishop Brandon Johansen will officiate. Graveside services along with burial will follow at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery. Don Nightengale Jr., Charles Laneville, Benjamin Jewett, Joshua Jewett, Robert Jewett and Vincent Jewett will serve as pallbearers. The honorary pallbearers will be, Vernon Jewett, James Jewett, Karl Jewett, Danial Wickstrom, Don Nightengale Sr., Don Renkel Sr., Gene Vice, Dennis Trump and Ryan Jewett.

Sally moved to Alaska in December of 1993. She attended LDS Services and Single Adult Church Activities with her daughter, Carol. For 10 years she walked from 15th and Cordova to 8th and Barrow to the Korean Salvation Army to eat with her friends. She always donated extra money to Salvation Army Meal sites. Sally loved to watch Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Little House on then Prairie and Seventh Heaven. She enjoyed crocheting doilies and tablecloths. She also loved to take the LDS elders out to lunch weekly.

Surviving are daughters, Kathy Wickstrom and Carol Nattress; grandchildren, Mark Nattress, Patricia LeBlanc, Robin Johnson, Bonnie Wickstrom and Darrell Wickstrom; seven great-grandchildren; brothers, Vernon Jewett, James Jewett and Karl Jewett; sisters, Mary Sutton, June Lathrop, Wilma Jones, Antonette Murphy and Thelma Cameron. Sally was preceded in death by her parents, Unice Jewett and John W. Crafton; husband, Ernest Pearson and sister, Janie Stewart.

Anchorage Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements

Michael Loren Anderson

Wasilla resident Michael Loren Anderson, 48, died as a result of a welding accident, in the arms of his best friend, in Wasilla on Aug. 3.

A gathering will be Friday, Aug. 11 at the Matanuska River Park (located 1.2 miles from Palmer on the Old Glenn Highway). A potluck picnic will begin at 2 p.m. A campfire will follow and overnight campsites are available. Saturday, Aug. 12 family and close friends will share a final farewell on the banks of the Little Susitna River.

Michael was born Jan. 25, 1958, in Oak Ridge, Ore. He graduated from Springfield High in Oregon in 1976. He became a resident of Alaska in 1977 and began working in the canneries in Petersburg before making his permanent home in Wasilla. He was the owner-operator of Anderson Boats and Aluminum Works, located in Wasilla, from 1992 until his death. He also worked at Red Dog Mine and M3S Steel.

Family and friends wrote, &#8220Michael (also known as Mikey and Sparky among his friends) was a man of many talents and passions. He was master welder and boat builder, a great fisherman, and awesome father, and extraordinary friend. He will be remembered for his optimism, energy, loyalty, laughter, and radiant smile. He would take time to help a friend whenever called on, and was committed to making time for his son.”

Mike's ashes will be returned to the earth on the Little Susitna River, the Talkeetna Mountains and in Oregon the home of his youth.

Michael Loren Anderson is survived by his son and pride of his life, Mitchell Layne Anderson, 12, of Wasilla; parents, Virgil and Eunice Anderson of Crescent Lake, Ore.; sister, Deb Hefley and niece Michelle Lopes of Ripon, Calif.; brother, Kevin and sister-in-law Lynn Anderson of Cottage Grove, Ore.;

and girlfriend, Debra Criss, of Wasilla.

Son Mitchell Anderson will reside with his devoted mother and stepfather Sandra and Tom McMillian and brother Shawn. He can be contacted at their residence in Wasilla.

Memorial contributions can be made to Mitchell Layne Anderson at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, at the Wasilla branch.

Devin Carl

Branham

Devin Carl Branham, 40, of Wasilla, died Aug. 5, 2006, at home surrounded by his family.

A memorial service/celebration-of-life will be held Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006 at 4 p.m. at the VFW Post. 301 E. Lakeview Ave. in Wasilla, up Knik-Goose Bay Road.

It is a potluck occasion.

Devin was born Sept. 2, 1965, in Chico, Calif., and has lived in Alaska for 39 years. He was a 1983 graduate of Wasilla High School. He attended I.U.O.E. mechanic school. He also completed education in the workplace.

He was employed by the Municipality of Anchorage for the past 17 years. He worked in street maintenance and most recently was the safety coordinator in the maintenance and operations department.

Devin was passionate about supporting Wasilla youth sports activities. His 23-year involvement included his last 10 years with Wasilla Little League. He was a devoted coach to his sons and the community, receiving &#8220coach of the years” award in 2006.

Devin spent his life fishing and hunting. An avid sportsman, he shared with his sons, Cole and Kyle, his passion for the outdoors. At the age of 12, he took his first moose.

The family said, &#8220Right out of high school, Devin married his high school sweetheart, Jan Johannes. Together they raised two wonderful sons and devoted their time to family, friends, and community. In his short life, Devin lived and loved to the fullest. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Devin's courage and strength will continue to be an inspiration to

us all.”

Devin in survived by his wife of 22 years, Jan, and his sons Cole, 14, and Kyle, 12; mother, Donna Branham; father and stepmother, Neil and Sherry Branham;l sister and brother-in-law Deb and Gary Gaskey of Cottage Grove, Ore.; sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Paul Minnick; brother and sister-in-law Doug and Johna Smith; grandmother, Gertude Golden of Alturas, Calif.; mother-in-law, Avril Johannes; brother-in-law and wife, Scott and Karis Johannes; brother-in-law and wife, Mark and Mary Johannes; and numerous nieces and nephews, aunt Colleen Walston and Uncle Bill and his wife Molly Golden.

Devin was preceded in death by his grandparents, Carl and Eula Branhaml grandfather, Paul Golden; and uncle Carl Ray Branham.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to his co-workers and friends for all of their love and support. We would also like to extend a very special thanks to Dr. Lawson for his exceptional care.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory, Wasilla.