RALPH B. McFARLAND

Wasilla resident Ralph B. McFarland, 83, died June 18, 2004, at Providence Medical Center in Anchorage.

A celebration of his life will be held at Sammy's Pizza in the Cottonwood Creek Mall on June 29 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Family, friends and acquaintances are invited to join in celebrating Mr. McFarland's life over coffee and cake. No other services are planned, in accordance with his wishes.

Also, according to Mr. McFarland wishes, his ashes will be scattered over the Brushkana River, where he spent many hours with close friends and family.

Mr. McFarland was born March 10, 1921, in Stratton, Colo., to Jess and Gladys McFarland, where he worked the family farm until joining the U.S. Army. He served in Africa, Sicily, Italy and Germany. His combat battalion passed through the Straits of Gibraltar on Christmas Eve, 1942. Mr. McFarland was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945.

He moved to Ketchikan from Everett, Wash., in 1970. He married F. Elaine Swayne in 1979 and lived in Anchorage and Wasilla.

Mr. McFarland worked for Wien Airlines, in the building maintenance department for seven years. After retirement, he worked in Wasilla for Dan's Tackle Town, Three Rivers Fly and Tackle, and then for Igloo Electronics.

Mr. McFarland's hobbies included fishing, camping and gardening. He was a member of the Good Sams Camping Club, Northern Lights Chapter.

His family wrote, "Ralph was at his best when someone needed his help. The generosity he showed with his time and talents, not to mention his tools, endeared him to many friends and neighbors over the years. He and Elaine enjoyed gardening and spent many days in their RV on fishing trips throughout the state. He will be missed by all who knew him."

Mr. McFarland was preceded in death by his son, Harold McFarland.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine McFarland; brother, Jesse McFarland; sister, Margaret Bunch; six stepchildren; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home.