Richard M. Shanders

Wasilla resident Richard M. Shanders, 74, died of natural causes June 22, 2012, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wasilla. Pallbearers are Kevin, Mark, Brian and Daniel Shanders. Honorary pallbearers are Patrick Maurin and Bobby Deason.

Dick, as he was known to his family and friends, was born Sept. 1, 1937, in Philadelphia, Penn. He graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School, attended Villanova University and served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was employed by IBM in Philadelphia and Anchorage and retired in 1990 after 26 years with the company.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Wasilla and was on the first board when the church was started. He was a member of sailing clubs in Seward and Homer. Dick’s hobbies included moose hunting, fishing and sailing with his wife Winnie. His family said he was a great outdoorsman.

His family wrote that he will be loved and missed by his family and friends he made along his life’s journey.

He is survived by his wife, Winifred; his sons, Daniel, Kevin and his wife Lisa, Mark and Brian; daughters, Patricia and Megan, all of Alaska; sister, Rosemary of Philadelphia, Penn.; and grandchildren, Zachary, Justin, Katie, Richard, Adriene and Mary Shanders.

Arrangements were entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.