Newlyweds return home from honeymoon cruise to Caribbean

Jean Holsinger and Jon Shepherd were married on June 12, 2010, at a beautiful lake-front wedding performed at the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn. The wedding started off with a sand ceremony performed by their grown children; Wendy Lawton, Danny and Kaley Lyles, Tyler and Maxwell Shepherd. The sand ceremony was followed by a song performed by Wendy and Kaley, Jean’s daughters, and her granddaughters: Mallonie, Audrey and Natalee Lawton. The groom’s sister Jill Camp and her husband Tom, who traveled from Sacramento, Calif. to attend the wedding, performed a second song.

Members of Jean’s family traveled to Alaska for the event. Her older brother Alan Claghorn, who gave the bride away, was accompanied by his wife Karey and daughters Erin and Emily, from Milo, Iowa. Another older brother Ted Claghorn, who performed a beautiful wedding ceremony, traveled to Alaska with his wife JoAnn, from Bluffton, Ind. along with sister-in-law Sandy Claghorn.

Jean said with a smile, “Our wedding was a dream come true, it was absolutely beautiful.” The bride chose red and ivory colors for the wedding, which was decorated with lots of flowers. The maid of honor was Janet Schocke from Kendelville, Ind. Bridesmaids were Kimber Hedinger, Lynn Gattis, Andrea Mitchell and Chris Brogdon, all from Alaska. Flower girls were the bride’s granddaughters Ariyann and Reeslynn, and the ring bearer was grandson Rafe Lawton. The best man was the groom’s brother Jay Shepherd, from Winters, Calif. Groomsmen were Rick O’Neill from Dixon, Calif., Steve Colligan, Vince Bergkamp, and Philip Smith, all from Alaska.

Jon grew up in north central California and other guests from that area included sister in-law Jill Shepherd, nieces Jenaye Shepherd, Natalie Smith and children, nephews Justen Cole with wife Mindy and their son, and Jeremy Shepherd. The group also included Judy O’Neill from Dixon, Calif., along with Brandi Vigil, and Erin Evans.

A beautiful reception followed the ceremony with fine dining and dancing for family and friends.

Both the bride and groom have lived in the Mat-Su Valley for 30 years where Jean manages Alaska Cleaner’s and Jon is the president of New Horizons Telecom Inc. They have been together happily-ever-after since they met at the 2007 Inaugural Ball for then-Governor Sarah Palin.