Oct. 13, 2006

Elliot Warwick John Spurway

Elliot Warwick John Spurway, 90, died Oct. 5, 2006, at his home in Wasilla. A memorial mass is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, 2006, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla.

He was born on April 15, 1916, in Exeter, Devon, England.

He received his primary education in England, completing his education in the United States.

During World War II, he served with the Royal Air Force in Washington, D.C., and at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, in support of the Lend/Lease aircraft program for the R.A.F.

He then enjoyed a 30-year marketing career in the aerospace industry with General Dynamics Corporation, retiring in 1983.

He married Joyce Ewing in Washington, D.C., in 1944. She passed away in 1988.

He married Marion Harmon of Monterey, Calif., in 1994 at Sandnessjoen, Norway. She passed away in 1999.

A former resident of Washington, D.C., Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Cambria, Pacific Grove, Auburn, and Grass Valley, Calif., he moved to Wasilla in April of 2005 to be near his daughter and her family.

During retirement years, he traveled the world extensively. His memberships included the Royal Oak Foundations, National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, World Wildlife Fund, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Air Force Association.

He is survived by his son, Elliot W. J. Spurway Jr. (Jack) and daughter-in-law, Guyanna of Crawfordsville, Ind.; daughter, Jill Carricaburu and son-in-law, Bryan of Wasilla; daughter, Sandra J. Callipare and son-in-law, Anthony, of Grass Valley; eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. He also is survived by his sisters-in-law, Mrs. Doris P. Spurway of Bedford, N.H. and Mrs. Phyllis Woodward of Sarasota, Fla.; and nieces and nephews in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Delaware, Florida and Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 44 years, Joyce Ewing Spurway; and his second wife of five years, Marion Harmon Spurway.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mat-Su Regional Hospice, 3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy., Wasilla, AK 99654.

For additional information, please contact Jill Carricaburu at 376-7290.

His ashes will be buried at Bedford Center Cemetery in Bedford, N.H.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Chas ‘Chuck' Gearhart

Chas B. (Chuck) Gearhart, 86, died Sept. 7, 2006.

He moved his family to Wasilla in 1960 to homestead on the Little Su.

He is survived by his children, Ella L. Palmquist of Wasilla and Larry Gearhart of Bonnie Lake, Wash.

Roxanne Lee Gordon

Roxanne Lee Gordon, 67, died Oct. 3, 2006, at her home in Wasilla. A service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Oct. 13, 2006, at the Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla. The Rev. M. J. Gordon will officiate.

She was born July 23, 1939, in Palmer. She lived in Alaska her entire life. She was a secretary for Sunset Chapel. Her hobbies included fishing, camping and her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Gordon of Wasilla; brother, Wesley Venne of Tok; sister, Irene Nelson of Montana; daughter, Ann Symbol of Vasion Island, Wash.; daughter, Cindy Powell of Sweet Home, Ore.; Thersa Williams of Palmer; and son, Frank Sexton of Wasilla.

Memorial donations may be made to Sunset Chapel, 4780 Overview Drive, Wasilla, AK 99654. Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.

Donald Thomas Peterson

Donald Thomas Peterson, 41, died on Oct. 9, 2006, on Preston Avenue in Wasilla due to a work-related accident.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006, at Willow United Methodist Church in Willow. The Rev. Steve Eldreds will officiate at the service.

He was born June 5, 1965, in Grayling, Mich. He completed through the 10th grade at Roscommon High School in Roscommon, Mich. On June 9, 1997, he moved to Willow and spent the rest of his life there. He was employed by Ted West. He was affiliated with Willow United Methodist Church. His hobbies included snowmobiling and fishing.

His family said he was, &#8220the littlest big man we ever knew (with) a heart as big as Alaska. Don loved Alaska and the great outdoors, and had no desire to be anywhere else.”

He is survived by his daughter, Heather Flicker of Greenville, Ohio; brother, Kenneth Pray of Willow; sister, Peggy Steiger (Mike) of Grayling; brother, James Peterson of Grayling; and sister, Abby Peterson of Prescott, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Peterson; mother, Dorothy Peterson; and brother, Milton Peterson.

Memorial donations may be made to Kenneth Pray, P.O. Box 258, Willow, AK 99688. The family would appreciate flowers at the service. His ashes will be scattered in Kashwitna Lake at Mile 76.