June 16, 2006

JAMES FREDRICK SHANIGAN

The body of James Fredrick Shanigan, 55, was found on April 24, 2006, in Wasilla. A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2006, at Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla, 151 E. Herning Ave. There will be another service at noon, June 23, 2006, in Pilot Point, at the graveside by the family plot.

He was born on Feb. 24, 1951, in Pilot Point. He lived there until 1998, when he moved to Wasilla, until 2004 when he went missing. He was a Bush pilot in Pilot Point, and worked for Yute Air and PenAir. His favorite hobby was flying.

He is survived by his daughters, Adena Shanigan of Wasilla and Stacy Shanigan of Anchorage; sons, Bryant Shanigan of Wasilla and James R. Shanigan of Anchorage; sisters, Freida Byers of Anchorage, Marlane Shanigan of Anchorage, Nikki Shanigan of Egegik, Wendy Apalone of Egegik, and Kari Stiles of Oklahoma; and brother, Gordon Shanigan of Wasilla.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Abalama; and father, Nick Shanigan.

The family would like flowers at the service. His cremated remains will be buried next to his mother's grave in Pilot Point.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.

JANET MARIE HULL

Janet Marie Hull, 83, died on June 3, 2006, at Knik Manor in Wasilla, due to a stroke. A service was held June 8, 2006, at the First Baptist Church in Wasilla. The Rev. Fred Stroud officiated.

She was born on Aug. 8, 1922, in Reddeer, Alberta, Canada. In November of 1951, she moved to Anchorage and lived in Wasilla since 1955.

She was employed at multiple places throughout her life, including Duffy's Myrtledale and Convalescent Hospital in the 70s, and then Palmer Transportation Museum and the Senior Citizens Center in the 80s.

She was affiliated with the First Baptist Church in Wasilla. She made Afghan blankets for veterans. Some of her hobbies and special interests were knitting, bingo, her grandchildren, mall walking, reading, crocheting and going out to dinner.

Her son, Ed said, &#8220I thank my mother for giving me my life, I loved her very much. She will be missed dearly and never forgotten. I'll see you soon, Mom. She was Nana to her great-grandchildren, and in her last months of life, though legally blind, crocheted hats for many of them. We will all cherish her memory.”

Her daughter, Tina, said she was &#8220a smart, honest Scotswoman, who never wanted to let anyone down. Proud of her children and grandkids.”

She is survived by her daughter, Tina Hopkins of Wasilla; grandsons, Gavin and Stephan Hopkins of Wasilla; son, Edward D. Hull of Wasilla; daughter-in-law, Carol A. Hull of Wasilla; grandson, Mark A. Hull and wife Janelle of Wasilla; granddaughter, Brenda A. Potts and husband Rick of North Carolina; grandson, Quint J. Hull of Wasilla; grandson, Stacey B. Hull and wife Misty of Wasilla; granddaughter, Wendy M. Wissler and husband Robert of Wasilla; granddaughter, Heather R. Seims and husband Pete of Wasilla; great-grandchildren, Trevor, Andy, Shelby and Austin Hull, Justin and Hailey Wissler, and Mackenzie and Christian Seims; great-great grandchild, Mark Andrew Hull; son, Ronald R. Hull of Wasilla; daughter-in-law, Jane M. Hull of Wasilla; grandson, Shawn Hull and wife Kristin of Wasilla; granddaughter, Tammy Cook and husband Dallas of Wasilla; grandson, Dan Hull and wife Heather of Wasilla; grandson, Keath Hull and wife Cindy of Wasilla; grandchildren, Chris, Austin, and Kaitlyn Cook of Wasilla, and Mikaela, Ally, Maddy and Jordan Hull of Wasilla; daughter, Suzanne Bentley and husband Dave of Wasilla; grandson, David Bentley and wife Michelle of Winston, Ore.; granddaughter, Michelle Hopkins and husband Steve of Wasilla; granddaughter, Jessica Smith and husband Lee of Taylors, S.C.; grandson, Billy Bentley and wife Lisa of Wasilla; great-grandchildren, Anthony Bentley of Wasilla, Allisha, Tabetha, and Sadie Bentley of Winston, Kayla, Alan and Devin Reeder of Wasilla, Jonathan and Trinity Hopkins of Wasilla, and Reid Smith of Taylors; sister, Ruby Whittle and her husband James of Washington; brother, William Beers and his wife Betty of Washington; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Roy D. Hull; sisters, Helen and Edith; brother, Benny; second husband, Linn Hopkins; and granddaughter, Dawn Bentley.

Her ashes will be scattered in the mountains.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.

CHRISTOPHER GARRY MELTVEDT

A second generation Alaskan, Christopher Garry Meltvedt, died Feb. 16, 2006, in a snowmachine accident at Cantwell. Burial service will be Friday, June 16, 2006, at Northern Lights Memorial Park off Yankovich Road in Fairbanks.

He was preceded in death by his father, Garry Francis Meltvedt of Fairbanks. He is survived by his wife, Lori Meltvedt, and their children, Kelsey and Hunter, all of Fairbanks; son, Christopher G. Meltvedt of Wasilla; parents, Sandie and Lon Parrish of Chugiak; brother, Sean, his wife Mary and their children of Fairbanks; and brother, Patrick of Seward; and numerous other close family members in Alaska, Washington, California, Nevada, Utah, Michigan and Nebraska.

He was born Feb. 1, 1964, in Fairbanks. He was extremely active in many of the racing sports in Alaska and was well known in Anchorage, Wasilla and all over the state, his family wrote. He competed in drag racing, snowmachine racing and in Arctic Man throughout his adult life.

WERNER EMMENEGGER

Longtime Alaskan Werner Emmenegger, 73, died at his home on Homestead Lake in Big Lake after a long struggle with heart failure. He was surrounded by those who loved him when he died. There will be a funeral service at 7 p.m. Friday, June 16, at Valley Funeral Home, 151 E. Herning Ave., Wasilla. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Brother Francis Shelter, 225 Cordova St., Anchorage, 99501 are suggested.

A celebration of his life will be on Aug. 1 at Homestead Lake at 6 p.m., For information, friends may call Marlise Alward at 892-6953.

He was born Dec. 26, 1932, to Berta and Peter Emmenegger in Luzern, Switzerland. He grew up in Weggis, Switzerland. After he completed his master's degree as a paint-craftsman in 1959 and studied art in Zurich, Switzerland, he landed by ship in New York in 1963. With the words &#8220Switzerland to Alaska” written on his VW van, he drove across the United States north to Alaska. Here, he grounded his painting business, and credits his success to former governor and friend, Bill Sheffield, who commissioned Werner to paint hotels around the state. He became an American citizen in 1965. He later had a fish camp at Cook Inlet in the 1970s, and said the time he spent there with his family and nature was the highlight of his life.

He later retired from painting in 1992 to his home on Homestead Lake in Big Lake, where he enjoyed his log home and companion and friend, Marlise Alward, who took care of him in his final days at home.

He often boasted to be very lucky, as he survived the Great Earthquake of 1964, the Millers Reach fire of 1996, and the 2005 tsunami, at which time he was on the beach of Phuket, Thailand, on his birthday, of all days.

He was known for his strong will and independent nature. He had a keen eye for beauty. He lived his life with gusto, and loved to entertain guests. He will be missed by those who loved him.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father and brother of Switzerland; and his son, Stephan. He is survived by his daughters, Evelyn, of Seattle, and Brisca of Colorado.

His cremated body will be brought to his homeland, Switzerland, to the town of Weggis, by his companion and friend, Marlise Alward, later this summer.

Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.