John Russell

Palmer resident John Russell, 69 passed away in his sleep on April 16, 2007 after a lengthy illness.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, April 26, 2007 at 3 p.m. at the Kehl's Palmer Mortuary Chapel, 209 S. Alaska St., Palmer, AK. He was born in 1937 in Bergland, Michigan and graduated from Trout Creek High in Trout Creek, Michigan in 1955.

John joined the U.S. Army after graduating in 1955 and switched to the Air Force in 1958, working mainly in radio and signal operations. Among his medals was the Army Of Occupation Medal (Berlin). After completing his tour of duty in 1962, John moved Illinois and after a few months found his true civilian calling in life: Working on Data Circuits with MA-Bell, first in Illinois and later in Arizona. He met and married his wife Evelyn Schroeder on April 20, 1963 and they were married until her death in 1998.

John and his family moved to Alaska in 1981 to escape the desert heat and dust. Initially, John lived in Anchorage and worked at the Galena Airport, but he soon grew tired of the commute to bush Alaska, and landed a job at Matanuska Telephone Association in Palmer.

At John's retirement party in 2006, the MTA staff dubbed him their favorite &#8220Secret Circuit Man.” In his spare time, John loved to tour around Alaska and Canada in his motor home, spoil his birds, and teach his grandsons about wiring and computers.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Schroeder Russell, in 1998 and is survived by his daughters, Evelyn Russell of Juneau and Irene O'Brien of Anchorage; his son-in-law, David O'Brien; grandsons Thomas and Daniel O'Brien; a sister, MaryKay Ouellette, of Albuquerque, NM; and a brother, Gerald Heikkala, of Trout Creek, MI.

Local arrangements were provided by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.

Richard Shaw

Richard Arthur Shaw, 56, died April 15, 2007 while doing remodeling work at Gottschalks in Wasilla.

Mr. Shaw was born Oct. 2, 1950 In Washington, graduating from high school there, before moving to Wasilla in 1991. He worked for Keller Meyer Building Services, LLC, for the past 2 1/2 years. He loved the outdoors - fishing, camping and gardening. His family stated, "Richard was truly a wonderful father and grandpa. We will always remember his easy going attitude. He had a big heart and always made us laugh, he will be greatly missed.”

Mr Shaw is survived by his son and daughter in law, Jeremiah and Kristena Shaw of Wasilla; daughter and son in law, Crystal and Mason Magyar of Wichita, Kansas; grandchildren Chelsea, Cameron, Hayden, and Haylea Shaw of Wasilla, and Carter Magyar of Wichita, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ruth Shaw.

Memorial donations may be made to Jeremiah and Kristena Shaw at 1971 Rue De La Paix Loop, Wasilla, AK 99654.

Valley Funeral Home & Crematory of Wasilla is assisting the family.

Althea Mary (Phay) Ziegner

Althea Mary (Phay) Zieger, 76, died on April 15, 2007, at home in Wasilla due to natural causes. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2007, at 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Bogard Road. There will be a private burial at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery.

Mrs. Zieger was born on Oct. 4, 1930, in Montana. In June 1948, a week after they were married, Althea and George moved to Alaska. From 1948 to 1989, they lived in Anchorage and then moved to Wasilla in 1989.

Mrs. Zieger was a member of the Wasilla Homemakers for more than 10 years. She was also a member of Mabel T. Caverly Senior Center Anchorage.

She loved to read, play pinochle with her friends, do word searches and make beaded calendars, which she generously shared with friends.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, George Zieger of Wasilla; son and daughter-in-law Rick and Ann Zieger of Lamoni, Iowa; daughter, Nancy McManus of Wasilla; son, Rod Zieger of Anchorage; granddaughter, Lacey Zieger of Tulsa, Okla.; grandson, Andrew Zieger of Ames, Iowa; grandson and his wife, Richard and Melody McManus of Wasilla; grandson and his wife; Michael and Amy McManus of Montgomery, Ala.; granddaughter and her husband, Kristen (McManus) and Raymond Clarke of Palmer; and great-grandson, Aidan McManus of Montgomery, Ala.; as well as many nieces and nephews throughout the United States. She was preceded in death by her son, Gary A. Zieger, both of her parents and her six brothers and

sisters.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to George Zieger at P.O. Box 872013 Wasilla, AK 99687.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory of Wasilla is assisting the family with

arrangements.