June 9, 2006

SHIRLEY RAE LAMB HAIRE

Shirley Rae Lamb Haire, 83, was born Jan. 15, 1923, in Fairbanks, Wash., to Guy Raymond and Esther Pearl (Shawgo) Lamb. She passed away June 5, 2006, in Spokane, Wash.

She is survived by one son, Donald and his wife Jeannie Haire of Spokane Valley, Wash.; two daughters, Kathie Rektor of Spokane Valley and Sheryl and her husband John McCormack of North Spokane, Wash.; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Marillyn Kilpatrick of Oakesdale, Wash.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Paul &#8220Bud” Donald Haire, who died June 8, 2004; and one daughter, Colleen Rae Haire, who died July 29, 1974.

She graduated from Oakesdale High School in 1940 as class valedictorian and graduated from Washington State College (now Washington State University) in 1945 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. In 1952, the family moved to Palmer.

During the polio epidemic, she and two of her children, Sheryl and Donny, were stricken and the family moved to Spokane, returning to Alaska in 1960, and then moving back to Spokane in 1969.

She was a past member of the Hope Chapter 29, Order of Eastern Star, and the Oakesdale Presbyterian Church. As a girl, she enjoyed music, especially playing the piano, banjo and singing. While living in Spokane, she was a devoted caregiver for her mother. She enjoyed shopping, horses, and all creatures great and small. Shirley was a wonderful neighbor who adopted all those around her who could not care for themselves. She loved to share her flowers, garden produce and canning. Her garden was her favorite place.

A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2006, in the Colonial Chapel at Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home, 1306 N. Pines Road, in Spokane Valley.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in her memory to either the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, PO Box 3705, Spokane, WA 99220, or the American Heart Association, N.E. Chapter, 140 S. Arthur, Suite 610, Spokane, WA 99202.

Arrangements were made through Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home.

FELICIA DAWN SCOTT

Felicia Dawn Scott, 42, passed away May 24, 2006. A celebration of her birth and life is scheduled for June 10 at her home in Meadow Lakes.

She is survived by her husband, James Scott; father, Frank E Paul; sister, Cassie Paul; and nephew, Joshua Paul. She was preceded in death by her mother, Barbara S. King.

Arrangements were handled by Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home.

JAMES JAY FELLAND

James Jay Felland, 34, died June 6, 2006, at home in Palmer. A Rosary is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 12, 2006, at with a memorial service to follow at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Bogard Road in Wasilla. There will be a lunch to follow at the church. The Rev. Stan will be officiating.

He was born on Aug. 18, 1971, in Steven's Point, Wis. He graduated from Steven's Point Area High School. He was a member of the U.S. Navy. He moved to Alaska in October of 1997. He lived in Anchorage from 1997 to 1999, in Chugiak from 1999 to 2001, in Eagle River from 2002 to 2004, and then moved to Palmer where he lived until he passed.

He was the owner of A 5 Star Automotive Inc. since September of 2002. He was affiliated with Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla. Some of his hobbies included hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.

His family stated, &#8220James was a dedicated family man and a friend to all he met. He was a street rod enthusiast and loved to go to rod shows. Four-wheeling, camping and hunting were also favorites. Jim took weekend adventures with family and friends throughout Alaska. He will be missed by all who knew him.”

He is survived by his wife, Lori Felland of Palmer; daughter, Stephanie Felland of Palmer; mother, Sherry Bodin of Anchorage; father, James Felland of Madison Wisc.; son, Nicholas Rybarczyk of Anchorage; sister, Monica Belgarde of Anchorage; and brother, Robby Wayerski of California.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.

BASIL A. BRYANT

Basil A. Bryant, 90, former Houston, Alaska, resident, passed away May 15, 2006, at his winter residence in Mesa, Ariz. He was born Sept. 17, 1915, in Hersey, Neb.

He was very enterprising. He was self-employed most of his life. He has his own trucking firm, Grain and Produce distribution center, Sand and Gravel operations, in Wyoming and Alaska. He operated a farm implement dealership in Utah. He was able to &#8220prove-up” on homesteads in Utah and Alaska.

A life member of Local #302, Operating Engineers, Basil also enjoyed memberships in square dancing groups wherever he lived. He took part in local government serving as the mayor of Houston. Having been born in a sod house on the prairie of Nebraska, he was proud to belong to the &#8220Sons and Daughters of the Soddies.”

After driving the Alcan Highway in his &#8220Dodge Power Wagon” in 1954, the Bryants lived in Anchorage for a short time while working in construction. With his first wife, Mildred Jubb Bryant, he homesteaded in what is now Houston. They built the Houston Lodge on the banks of the Little Susitna River. Over the years, they served the needs of many travelers as well as the men who built the new Parks Highway.

In 1977, Basil and Mildred retired and sold the lodge. They moved to Idaho where they had a ranch in Emmet. They soon became snowbirds, following their love of square dancing to Mesa and around the world.

His wife of 50 year, Mildred, preceded him in death in 1987. His son, Joe William Bryant passed away in 2006.

His wife Sylvia Kirby Bryant survives him. They married in 2000. Other survivors include his children, Jacqueline B. Newman, Basil L. Bryant and Leonard G. Bryant; 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Services were May 18, 2006, at Mountain View Memorial Gardens in Mesa, where he was interred. Donations in his name may be made to Hospice of the Valley, Mesa, Ariz., or to any charity of your choice.

DINA DALLAPORTAS

Dina Dallaportas, 67, passed away June 3, 2006, at her Wasilla home. She was born March 9, 1939, in Watertown, N.Y., and moved to Alaska in 1983, living in Anchorage prior to coming to Wasilla.

Her family stated, &#8220She was a loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She had many great friends and was known for her fantastic sense of humor and unlimited love and generosity. She will be missed by many. She lived in Watertown, N.Y., until she moved to Alaska in the early 80s. She loved working for a catering company on the North Slope for many years. She lived in North Carolina for a few years, then came back to Alaska about three years ago, where she wanted to spend the rest of her live in the state she loved. She spent her last three months enjoying her first great-grandchild, Alexis Dina Allen.”

She is survived by her son, Edward Halferty of New York; daughters, Maria Pinkerton of North Carolina, and Eva Marple of Houston, Alaska; grandsons, Norman, Mathew, Andrew and Thomas Pinkerton of North Carolina, and Brian Marple of Alaska; granddaughters, Mandy Flaherty and Taylor Marple, both of Alaska; great-granddaughter, Alexis Dina Allen of Alaska; brother, William Dallas of Watertown; and sisters, Helen Dennis of Watertown and Joyce Dallaportas of New York.

Private Greek Orthodox services will be held. Private burial will be at Wasilla-Aurora Cemetery.

Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

FRANCES EUNICE RAMBISH

Frances Eunice Rambish, 82, passed away June 4, 2006, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage of natural causes. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. June 9, 2006, at Birch Harbor Baptist Church, Mile 5 Knik-Goose Bay Road, Wasilla. The Rev. Jeff Offord will officiate.

Pallbearers will be James McIntosh, James J. McIntosh and Joseph Rambish.

She was born Feb. 16, 1924, in Sapula, Okla., and came to Wasilla in 2000. She was a member of the Birch Harbor Baptist Church and enjoyed reading, church, puzzles, and traveling when she was younger.

Her family stated, &#8220Frances was loved by all who knew her, both family and friends. She will be sorely missed. She was kind, loving and generous to all she came in contact with. She loved the Lord and was ready to go home. Frances moved to Alaska in 2000 to live with her daughter and to be around family after her sister passed away in Arizona. She enjoyed Alaska and being with family.”

She is survived by her son, Joseph M. Rambish of Sumner, Wash.; daughter, Mary McIntosh of Wasilla; granddaughters, Eunice M. Foss of Fruitland, Idaho, Katherine L. Gamb of Payette, Idaho, and Tina Frisbee of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Grandsons, James J. McIntosh of Wasilla, Joseph Rambish of Texas and Albert Klukowski of Singapore; and 15 great-grandchildren

She was preceded in death by her husband Joe Rambish; sister, Annie Nichols; two brothers, James and Paul Sample; grandson, Clifford McIntosh; granddaughter, Jodi Lynn Rambish; and great-granddaughter, Sarah M. Foss.

Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family.

MARCELINE MARCY C. WHITE

Marceline Marcy C. White died Oct. 7, 2005.

A memorial service and celebration of life is scheduled for 1 p.m. June 17, 2006, at Atlasta House, Mile 166 Glenn Hwy., near Glennallen. Al Krinke will officiate, and an open microphone will be available for all to pay tribute. Music will be provided by Home Brew Band and DJ Charlene. Refreshments and social time will follow.

All of her family and friends are cordially invited to attend. For further details, please call 907-822-3352.

LUCHION JESSE SHARP

Longtime Willow resident, Luchion Jesse Sharp, 64, died May 28, 2006, at Providence Alaska Medical Center from complications due to kidney failure. A service is scheduled for 2 p.m. June 2 at All Saints Episcopal Church in Anchorage. Father Norman Elliot will officiate. There will be a Lions Memorial at a later date.

He was born Sept. 15, 1941, in East Chicago, Ind. He attended Purdue University and served in the U.S. Army. He moved to Alaska Aug. 10, 1976. He lived in Anchorage 18 years and in Willow for 12 years.

He traveled the world working in England, Germany, Turkey, Algeria and France. He worked on the pipeline with Alyeska Pipeline, BP Construction and VECO. He then opened his own industrial instrument company, K&S Instrument Service Co., Inc., where he worked until his retirement in 1993.

He was very active in Lions Club International, a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans, and member of the American Legion. He was the first president of the Instrument Society of America, Alaska chapter; was District Lion of the Year, and held many offices in the Goth club at district level. He worked endlessly for leader dogs, organ donation, Campabilities and any other Lions projects that came up. He enjoyed running dogs, fishing, hunting, flying, woodworking and watching westerns.

His family said he was &#8220a kind and loving man whose family came first and country came second. He loved giving the grandkids tractor rides and helping them to make pizza. They had great times going crazy (to the doughnut shop).”

He is survived by his wife, Kristine; children, Pamela (Todd) Andrews, Jesse Sharp, Shawn (Robyn) Sharp and Kimberly Randolph (Jason Oxholm); grandchildren, Schonel, Christopher, Christopher, Holly, Ashley, Jessica, Chance, Kallie, Eowyn, Kira and Rylan; sister, Vicki (Jim) Spitz; brothers, Carl (Joanne) Sharp, Christopher Goode, Billy (Deborah Sue) Goode; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Doris Middleton, and sister-in-law, Andrea (Bob) Fukuda.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to District 49A Lions for use with leaderdogs and Campabilities. PO Box 727, Willow, AK 99688. Family and friends may leave tributes at www.mem. com.

Arrangements were provided by Witzleben Family Funeral Home.