May 5, 2006

CLARENCE LAVAN ‘TINY' MODDISON

Clarence Lavan Moddison, 80, died on April 29, 2006, at his home in Meadow Lakes of a cardiac arrest. A service is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday, May 5, 2006, at Salvation Army Mat-Su Corps, 209 W. Evergreen in Palmer. Major Dan Hughes will officiate at the service.

He was born on Jan. 4, 1926, in Sacramento, Calif. He graduated from high school and then went into the United States Army at Fort Richardson.

In 1947, he moved to Alaska. He lived in Attu and Adak in the late 1940s, and then moved to Anchorage in 1988. He was employed by Civil Aviation Administration and Federal Aviation Administration from 1950 to 1965. He also was an electrical lineman, and a civil service engineer.

He was very active in life until he was promoted to glory. He was part of the Salvation Army Church in Palmer. He was a member of the Republican National Committee, was a 10-gallon blood donor at American Association of Blood Banks in Meadow Lakes, and a member of the community council. He was a private pilot, owned his own plane, camped, hunted, dug for clams, and enjoyed the outdoors and teaching his oldest granddaughter to fly.

His family stated, &#8220Tiny loved God, his family and the outdoors. He grew up in Sacramento working on the family peach orchard and at the family gas station. Tiny was a very giving man, who always went the extra mile to do whatever was necessary to get the job done. He was lighthearted and jovial, loved to joke and put a smile on everyone's face. His family will always remember him as Bumps. A close friend crash landed on an Alaska mountain top, and didn't feel comfortable asking to use Tiny's plane. But Tiny loaned his friend the plane and it took over a month to get parts, fix and fly the other plane out. Tiny's motto was, ‘smile and the world smiles with you, kick and you kick alone.' He loved to go camping and really enjoyed taking his daughter Tanna clam digging. He enjoyed driving down side roads and exploring just to see where the road went. He was a practical problem solver; he would keep at the problem until the job was satisfactorily completed. Tiny loved to share experiences and stories of his past. He will be remembered as a man of God who loved his family and had many friends. The memories will bring a smile and often times laughter to all of us who knew him. He will be walking the streets of heaven waiting for his Christian family members and friends to join him some day.”

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Velma Moddison of Meadow Lakes; daughter, Tann Moddison of Roy, Wash.; granddaughters, Kayla and Crystal Moddison of Roy and Meadow Lakes; sister, Marcella &#8220Peggy” Jacks of Anchorage; half-brothers Wayne and Jim and wife Eleanor Moddison of Washington; half-sisters; JoAnne and husband Al Von Thun of Reno, Nev., Susan Winston of Sacremento, and Linda Martin of Sonoma, Calif.; stepchildren, Carolyn and husband Mel Grafton of Carman, Ill., Ila and husband Barry Farley of Rock Falls, Ill., and Dale and wife Debbie Oldham of Wilburton, Okla.; grandchildren, Troy Frank, Brent Frank, Rodger Johnson, Sharon Johnson, Marla Oldham and Heather Oldham; nieces, Karron &#8220Pixie” and husband Dave Weise of Sutton, and Kathryn Lytle of Anchorage; nephew, Glenn &#8220Bim” Jacks of Anchorage; and numerous great-nieces and nephews in Alaska and Idaho; lifelong friends, Mike and Ann Stanelle of Houston, Paul Sutherland of Dillingham, and Bob and Becky Miers of San Dimas, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Cline Moddison; mother, Wilma Irene Preston; and sister, Henryetta Mary Clarice McCrady.

Donations may be made to The Salvation Army Mat-Su Corps, P.O. Box 1106, Palmer 99645. The family also would appreciate flowers at the service. Mr. Moddison will be cremated and his remains will be spread at the family home on Beverly Lake on June 18.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.

JOANN BARCLAY

Wasilla resident JoAnn Magdalene Barclay, 55, passed on May 1, 2006, at home. A formal service will take place in Mountain Village, and the burial will take place in Old Andreafski after the Yukon River breakup. Friends and family will be informed of the burial date at that time.

She was born June 7, 1950, in Old Chevak, and grew up in Mountain Village. She graduated from St. Mary's Mission High School in St. Mary's, and she attended college at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She married her husband in Anchorage in 1976. They lived in Kenai for a few years, then in Mountain Village for a number of years before moving to Wasilla.

She worked for Hope Cottages in Anchorage in the early 1970s, and also for the Asa'carsarmiut Tribal Council as an ICWA social worker in Mountain Village for a number of years.

Her family wrote, &#8220JoAnn was an intelligent woman with a great sense of humor. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and she loved working with children and families. She enjoyed sightseeing and camping throughout Alaska, smoking fish in the summer, ice fishing, tending to her garden and flowers, and admiring nature. She was a wonderful and understanding wife and mother. We will always remember her for her free spirit.”

She is survived by her husband, Thomas Barclay; her son, Warren Barclay; her daughter and son-in-law, Sherry and James Wilson; her brothers, Robert and Carl Chimiralrea; her brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Darlene Peterson; her sister and brother-in-law, Laura and Tony Perez; brother-in-law, Fred Barclay; brother and sister-in-law, Morris and Charlene Barclay; and brother and sister-in-law. Greg and Kerri Barclay; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her adoptive parents, Matthew and Betty Peterson; her parents, Xavier and Angelina Chimiralrea; her older brothers, Mike Peterson and Charles Chimiralrea; and her older sister, Theresa Chimiralrea.

MICHAEL LEE SCOTT

Michael Lee Scott, 52, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2006, at his residence in Wasilla after a long illness.

A military graveside service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, May 5, 2006, at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery. A small gathering will follow the service at his beloved wife Eleanor's home.

He was born Feb. 26, 1954, in Blocken, Iowa. He was an aircraft metals technologist, with a degree in metals technology. He also held several certificates in welding and instruction. He was in the US Air Force from June 1975 until his retirement in July 1989. He retired as a tech sergeant and welding instructor. He moved to Alaska in 1979, and resided in the city of Wasilla. Being a professional welder, one can see his touch on Providence Hospital and Elmendorf Air Force Base. He was a life-long Baptist, but was unable to attend services due to his illness. He received several commendations and medals throughout his career in the Air Force. He enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting, bowling and nature.

His family said, &#8220Michael love nature and wildlife. He was a loving husband, great-grandfather, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. He had a wonderful sense of humor, was kind and loving in every way. He will be missed by many.”

He is survived by his loving wife, Eleanor Scott; two great-grandchildren, two grandchildren, one stepson, one stepdaughter, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, many nieces and nephews, and several cousins and relatives in Blocken, Iowa.

Arrangements by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.

MAY C. CARTER

May C. Carter, 90, a longtime resident of Wasilla, died May 2, 2006, at home with family and friends surrounding her.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 6, 2006, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with burial at Aurora Cemetery in Wasilla. A reception at the church will follow the cemetery services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Wasilla Historical Society, the Palmer Bishop's Attic or Sacred Heart Church. Pallbearers will be May's nine grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are Patrick J. Carney, Frank Smith, Leo Holler, Ed Baker and David Drinkhouse.

She was born Aug. 24, 1915, in Montana. She moved to Wasilla in April 1940, and other than a short time living in Anchorage working during World War II, she remained a Wasilla resident. In 1944, she was appointed the U.S. Postmaster and the U.S. Commissioner (magistrate) in Wasilla. She held the commissioner position until 1959, and retired from the postmaster job in 1974. Both positions required a great deal of dedication and affection for the people she served. Coupled with a generous sharing of knowledge of life in a remote Alaskan community, she became a tremendous source of information to the many veterans and homesteaders of the 1950s and 1960s in the Valley. Many people later told her family how helpful she and her late husband, Pat's, information and generosity were for new settlers in the Matanuska Valley.

She was a community icon; her belief that giving back to one's community was the right thing to do was a driving force in her life. The land donated by the Carters to preserve park and lake access for future generations is now known as Lake Lucille's Carter Park.

She was active in many civic and religious organizations. She served on the first school board of the newly formed Mat-Su Borough in the 1960s. After retirement from the U.S. Post Office in 1973, she served on the Sacred Heart Parish Council, and was a long-term volunteer worker in the church office, played the piano and organ for church services, and was the editor of the local church newsletter. She was one of the original organizers of the Palmer Bishop's Attic thrift store, and served as its treasurer for 25 years. She also served in numerous positions for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, and was a founding member of the Wasilla Cemetery (Aurora) Association.

She was an excellent seamstress and quilter, a participant in community music events, and a dedicated gardener. Well into her 80s, she could be seen on her lawn tractor mowing her lawn on Lake Lucille, tending her greenhouse, vegetable garden, and her beautiful flowers. She always had homemade jams, jellies, fresh bread, and home-grown vegetables to share with family and friends.

The family wrote, ”Mom was a true pioneer woman, ready to take on whatever life presented her and willing to share herself and her wide knowledge with everyone she met. She always looked at the positives, and even in her final years, had a smile on her face, and saw her glass as always half full.”

She is survived by her four children, Barbara Carney and Colleen Scott of Wasilla, Don (Linda) Carter of Arizona, and Kay (Nick) Carney of Utah; 16 grandchildren, Patrick (Larissa Cummings) Carney, Ralph (Darcy) Carney of Anchorage, Jocelyn (Niles) Williams of Anchorage, Jeff (Deborah) Carney, Julia (John) Schirack, Margaret (Mike) Markanthony, Mark (Brandi) Carney, Ted (Erin Leslie, fiancée) Carney, Molly (Dennis) Smedley, Dan (Vickie Robinson, fiancee) Carney and Katie Carney, all of Wasilla, Pamela Massingham and Breckan (James Rock, fiancé) Scott of Oregon, Don L. Carter of Washington, D.J. (Tracey Chester) Carney of California, and Chuck (April) Carney of Colorado; great-grandchildren, Janelle and Rachelle Cummings, Marsha, Wade and A.J. Schirack, Marlee Hall, Kelly Carney, Haley and Ally Carney, Cheri and Teddy Robin Carney, Weyland, Amelia and Feona Carney, Marisol, Oscar, Vincent, and Nigel Smedley, Ashley, Rheannon, Niles Thomas, Iliyah May, Micheal Williams, Michael and Kylie Carter, Sarah and Benjamin Carney, Calla, Emily and Shawn Carney, Desiree Massingham, Destiny Henderson and David Nolan; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and sisters, husband, Pat Carter; and grandson, Aaron Carter. Arrangements by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.

ROBERT F. SCHOONMAKER

Chugiak resident Robert F. Schoonmaker, 75, died in Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage April 29, 2006. A private family service will be held. The officiant will be Charles Wise.

He was born March 18, 1931, in Portland, Maine.

He was in the Air Force and was a seaman in the U.S. Merchant Marines. He first moved to Alaska in 1949, residing in Chugiak 1949 to 1952, 1953 to 1964, and 1978 to 2006. He retired from Fort Richardson after having worked in telecommunications in the civil service.

He loved to fly, fish and camp, and go four-wheeling and snowmachining.

He is survived by his children, Betty Austin, Mike Schoonmaker, Kim Hewitt, Karen Lord, and Becky Saloka; and grandchildren, Erin Austin, Donald Hull, Jeremy Schoonmaker, Brayton Austin, Willis Schoonmaker, Daryl Stahly, Jamie Schoonmaker, Darlene Stahly, Ashley Schoonmaker, Alana Lord, Lindsey Saloka, Devon Saloka, and Heidi Lord.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 1057 W. Fireweed Lane, Ste 100, Anchorage 99503.

He will be interred at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

Family and friends may leave memorial tributes at www.mem.com.

Arrangements were provided by Witzleben Family Funeral Home.

MARSHALL EUGENE ‘GENE' HAYES

Marshall Eugene &#8220Gene” Hayes, 67, passed away Monday, May 1, 2006, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center due to a stroke.

A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, May 7, 2006, at the Hilltop Assembly of God Church in Houston with the Rev. Kevin Shumway officiating. Following the service will be a celebration of life at Sully's Sourdough Inn.

He was born Jan. 1, 1939, in Orange County, Calif., to J. Paul Hayes and Martha Willis Hayes, both of whom preceded him in death. He graduated from Selma Union High School.

He moved to Alaska in 1981 to the City of Wasilla. He was employed by Carlile Transportation Systems from May of 1998 until May of 2006. He also worked for Anchorage Cold Storage from 1981 until 1994, and was the owner of &#8220My Shop” in Wasilla.

He was member of Hilltop Assembly of God Church. He was a racecar driver, and loved halibut fishing and long-haul trucking.

The family said, &#8220Gene will be remembered as a man with a loving heart, strong work ethic and great sense of humor. He devoted his life to raising his three children to become hard workers. From an early age, Gene loved to drive and always wanted to drive trucks. He was proud of his long trucker status. He began racing stock cars in the 1980s, and also was a member of the Valley Bandits. We will miss his love for life, great stories and jokes, and miles on the road. He was a wonderful father and friend. Gene you take the checkered flag. Last lap May 1, 2006.”

Gene is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Richard Wolfe of Camas Valley, Calif.; sons, Frank Hayes of Soldotna and Hank Hayes of Kalispell, Mont.; daughter-in-law, Annette McConnell of Kalispell; grandsons, Kameron Wolfe of Camas Valley, Ore., Dennis Wolfe of Camas Valley, Chase Elliott of Kalispell, and Luke Elliott of Camas Valley; and granddaughters, Abby Miller and Kate Miller, both of Kalispell.

The family suggests memorial donations to the St. Jude Research Foundation, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.