October 27, 2006

James Allen Chapman

James Allen Chapman, 45, died Oct. 23, 2006, at home in Palmer. A celebration of his life will be Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, at 2 p.m. at Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass.

A reception will follow at 8700 E. New Hope St. in Palmer.

He was born May 22, 1961, in Fresno, Calif., and graduated from Parker High School in Parker, Ariz., in 1979 and obtained a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University in 1987. He was also a member of the U.S. Army.

He came to Alaska on July 1, 2005, residing in Palmer. After graduating from college, Jim worked as a geologist for several American and international exploration and mineral companies in the United States, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile.

After returning from South America in 1998 with his wife and infant son in tow, he set up in Tucson, Ariz., where he worked as the district global information system administrator (and basketball player) for Southwest Gas Company. He ultimately retired from desk duty and began his Internet entrepreneurial ventures, which led him to Alaska where he coupled his love for Alaska and knowledge of the Internet to create his Web sites, www.myalaskanblog.com and www.mtalaskan.com

He was a member of the Matanuska Search and Rescue and the National Search and Rescue. Some of his hobbies included working with the Arizona Geological Society, Arizona Tucson Astronomy club, Volunteer Iditarod in Wasilla, and the Tucson Skeet Club.

His family stated, &#8220Mr. Chapman would always spend time with his child, Morgan Chapman. He would play video games and board games, too. Mr. Chapman died of a heart attack … now he is in a better place: heaven.

&#8220This summer me, my dad and my mom went to the Nickelodeon Hotel in Orlando, Fla. I got to jump into the pool and my dad would catch me. I also went to Space Camp with my dad and my mom. We went on the gravity ride. It was fun. I liked to fish with my dad because it was fun to catch fish. I liked to hike on mountains with my dad. My favorite hike with my dad was in Yosemite. We also climbed rocks and went camping.

&#8220My dad liked to come to the school and eat lunch with me and my friends on Thursdays. It was cool because everyone liked when my dad came to the school. When we lived in Arizona, me and my dad built a fort in our backyard. My dad would take me sledding, snowboarding and skiing.

&#8220We had a blast of fun! My dad would always spend time with me. We would read together, play video games, board games, and do everything together. I'm going to miss him very much.”

From: Morgan, 8.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kenda Chapman of Palmer; wonderful son, Morgan Chapman of Palmer; grandmother, Pearl Chapman of Hemet, Calif.; father, Philip Chapman of Sun City West, Ariz.; brother and sister-in-law, Carl and Amy Chapman of Glendale, Ariz.; sister and brother-in-law, Kerri and Jim Anderson of Riverside, Calif.; nephews, Eric Anderson of Riverside, Russell Anderson of St. Louis, Mo., and Bryan Anderson of Hemet; father-in-law, Kent Martin of Rocky Ford, Col.; mother-in-law, Nancy Martin of Rocky Ford; sister-in-law, Kara Kurtz of La Junta, Col.; brother-in-law, Randy Kurtz of La Junta; nephew, Wade Kurtz of La Junta; niece, Jordan Kurtz of La Junta; brother-in-law, Reed Martin of Rocky Ford; sister-in-law, Andria Martin of Rocky Ford; nephew, Brayden Martin of Rocky Ford; and niece, Kendall Martin of Rocky Ford.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Ann Chapman; and grandfather, Ira Chapman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Matanuska Search and Rescue, a nonprofit organization. Donations in the name of Jim Chapman will be used for equipment and training. Contact the family at 745-6085.

His ashes will be scattered up at Hatcher Pass.

Arrangements with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Lenore Hedla

Anchorage resident Lenore Hedla, 91, died Oct. 16, 2006, at her home.

At her request, no services will be held.

She was born Jan. 4, 1915, in Hazen, Ark., to Mattie Agnes Yentsch Amerman and Arba Beecher Amerman.

She graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 1938 and then became an executive with the Girl Scouts of America.

On July 18, 1942, she enlisted in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, later the Women's Army Corps, and served more than three years active duty achieving the rank of captain and later major in the U.S. Army Reserve.

After active military service, she returned to work with the Girl Scouts.

In 1953, she came to Alaska as the publicist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Station in Palmer.

On May 26, 1956, she married George Hedla at Louise Kellogg's Spring Creek Farm.

Among her many activities in addition to wife and mother were master gardening, writing a newspaper column for nine years, contributing articles to national horticultural magazines, writing and publishing the fourth edition of &#8220The Alaska Gardener's Handbook” in 1994, writing stories for Sunday School publications, traveling with her late husband throughout the world to visit gardens, entertaining, and being a friend to many.

She is survived by her daughter, Margaret Stanley, and granddaughter, Larissa Stanley of Whitehorse, Yukon; and grandson, Garrett Ennis of Anchorage.

Arrangements with Witz-leben Family Funeral Home.

Frank Joseph Bernard Boehly

Wasilla resident Frank Joseph Bernard Boehly, 60, died Oct. 23, 2006, at home.

He was born in Anchorage on Jan. 18, 1946, to Frank Joseph Bernard and Marvel Mae Boehly. There will be a celebration on life on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, at 2 p.m. at the Tug Bar on Knik Road with a presentation by the Lions Club.

He was a counselor and teacher. He enjoyed his friends and grandchildren, traveling, and riding his motorcycle.

He is survived by his wife, Jo Anne Boehly and her family; his adopted daughter, Ragan Anderson; two children, Shelbi and Brandon; his aunt, Eleanor Lockman; and cousin, Elaine Claridge. Arrangements with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Roxanna Ames Ulrey-Harris

Roxanna Ames Ulrey-Harris, 53, was found dead Sept. 1, 2006, outside Anchorage at the Palmer Hay Flats area.

A graveside service was Oct. 24, 2006, at Anchorage Memorial Park. The Rev. Weldon Shuman officiated. A memorial service is planned in Des Moines, Iowa, at Faith Church of the Nazarene at a later date.

She was born April 12, 1953, in San Fernando, Calif., to David Lane Ulrey and Lois M. Ulrey. She graduated from Marion High School in Marion, Iowa, and Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She worked in a bag factory called Stone Container for 18 years in Des Moines until 1993. Plagued by bipolar disease, Roxanna searched for peace and found comfort in the beautiful mountains and glorious beauty of Alaska. She decided this was home forever three years ago. Her presence will be missed dearly by those who loved and knew her well.

She was a Christian. She enjoyed pottery, painting, crochet and sewing her own clothes, and she liked to make jewelry. She was an artist.

Her family wrote, &#8220Roxanna had spoken with her mother and oldest daughter Elisha last on Mother's Day, May 2006, to wish them a happy Mother's Day. She told Elisha that she was going hiking in the woods and promised to call upon her return. Roxanna did not call, and after about a week, her mother notified the Anchorage Police. They immediately investigated and asked the public by television and newspaper to aid in her search. On Sept. 1, 2006, duck hunters came across a body in the woods some 30 miles from Anchorage and alerted the state patrol. Roxanna's backpack containing her name and address in Anchorage was also found near the body. Her remains were examined and the discovery of dental X-rays made a 100 percent identification possible.”

Memorial donations can be made to 918 Olympia Circle, New Orleans, LA 70114.

She was preceded in death by her father, David Lane Sr., and two grandmothers.

She is survived by two daughters, Elisha Serckpor (Emmanuel) of New Orleans, and Joy McLaren of Littleton, Colo.; and one granddaughter, Zakiyyah Serckpor; her mother, Lois M. Wehrhan of Cedar Rapids; a sister, Patricia Ulrey of Cedar Rapids; a brother, David Lane Ulrey II of Newport, Ore.; a sister-in-law, Susan Lane (Michael) of Cedar Rapids; two nephews, several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Arrangements with Witzleben Family Funeral Home.

David Peter Binford

David Peter Binford, 59, died Oct. 19, 2006, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage due to complications from diabetes. A service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, at Mary Conrad Center, 9100 Centennial Drive in Anchorage. Marvin Moser and Keith Olson will officiate at the service.

He was born Oct. 14, 1947, in Bend, Ore. He attended school at Madison High in Portland, Ore., and went to college at the Brooks Institute of Photography and USC Santa Barbara in California. He was in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1967-1971 as a photo intelligence officer who flew back seat in the SR11 &#8220Blackbird,” mapping China and Russia.

In 1981, he moved to Alaska.

He lived in Petersburg from 1981-1985, Fairbanks from 1985-1987, Eagle River from 1987-2004 and Wasilla from 2004 until his passing in 2006. He was employed by Lanaker Marine in Petersburg from 1981-1985, and Carrs/Safeway in Fairbanks and Anchorage from 1985-2001. He was a photo lab manager for Safeway. He retired from Carrs/Safeway in 2001.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and he taught judo classes.

His family stated, &#8220David was our beloved husband, father and grandfather, but most importantly our best friend whom we lost far too soon. But we take solace in the fact that he is with the Lord, no longer in pain and finally at peace.”

He is survived by his wife, Teresa Binford of Wasilla; son, Andrew Binford of Wasilla; son and daughter-in-law, Don and Prahnee Binford of Wasilla; grandsons, Anthony Humphrey, Dillin and Aaron Binford of Wasilla; son and daughter-in-law, Ian and Tasha Binford of Juneau; and granddaughter, Alissa Binford of Juneau.

He was preceded in death by his son, James Binford; and his mom and dad, Thomas and Janet Binford.

His ashes will be scattered in Southeast Alaska with his son James' ashes in the spring.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

James Matthew Gerbin

James Matthew Gerbin, 24, died Oct. 23, 2006, at his home in Palmer due to medical complications. A memorial service will be Monday, Oct. 30, 2006, at 2 p.m. at the LDS Palmer Chapel. The Rev. Garth Grover will officiate at the service.

He was born on Jan. 7, 1982, in Anchorage. He attended Palmer High School. He belonged to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He enjoyed hiking and the outdoors.

His family stated, &#8220James loved his nieces and nephews and was a great friend to them. He loved the outdoors and liked to hike. James was always friendly and outgoing. He could talk your ear off. James had a gentle soul and will be dearly missed by his friends and family.”

He is survived by his father, Walter Gerbin of San Antonio, Texas; stepmother, Lucy Gerbin of San Antonio; brother and sister-in-law, Stephen and Brenda Gerbin of Wasilla; sister and brother-in-law, Christina and Kevin Griffith of Palmer; nieces, Catherine and Brenda Griffith of Palmer; nephews, Ian and Robert Griffith of Palmer; brother, Daniel Gerbin of Tustin, Calif.; sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Daniel Sanchez of San Antonio; brother, Peter Gerbin of Anchorage; brother and sister-in-law, Phillip and Amanda Gerbin of Palmer; nephew, Anthony Gerbin of Palmer; niece, Faith Gerbin of Palmer; nephew, Timothy Gerbin of Palmer; brother, Joseph Gerbin of Palmer; and mother, Karin Gerbin of Palmer.

The family would appreciate flowers at the service.

Arrangements were made with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Palmer.

Mystie Skye Anderson

Mystie Skye Anderson, 10, died Oct. 22, 2006, at Providence Medical Center as the result of an accident.

A visitation will be Sunday, Oct. 26, 2006, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., with the service starting at 3 p.m. at Faith Bible Fellowship, 14159 W. Hollywood Blvd. in Big Lake.

The Rev. Ethan Hansen will officiate.

She was born Dec. 7, 1995, in Las Vegas.

She attended Big Lake Elementary School where she attended the fifth grade.

She began her Alaska residency in 2000, living in Big Lake. She attended Faith Bible Fellowship.

She loved to read. She loved singing, dancing and just being with her friends and family. She also loved tetherball.

Her family wrote, &#8220Mystie will always be in the hearts of any person that knows her. She is the most loving and caring person you could imagine.

&#8220Mystie loved school and loved reading about everything. Mystie loved reading the Bible, and she loves the Lord.

&#8220If you knew Mystie, you can be assured she loved you. That's Mystie. She loved everything.”

The family requests memorial donations be made to Alaska U.S.A. Federal Credit Union, Account #1294570, P.O. Box 196613, Anchorage, AK 99519-6613, or to Robert D. Hicks, 18888 Jamie Drive, Eagle River, AK 99577, (907)694-0267.

Mystie is survived by her father and mother, Tim and Tonya Anderson; sisters, Shyanne, Destinee and Chantel; brothers, Tyler, Daniel, Hunter and Bryce; grandparents, Ruth and John Harvanchik of California; grandparents, Bob and Debbie Hicks and Frances and Merl Duclos of Alaska; nanny, Margaret Peterson; cousin, Doug Peterson; aunt and uncle, Elaine and Dave Carley; cousin, Tony Carley; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in the Lower 48.

Arrangements with Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.