September 1, 2006

ROBERT ‘BOB' PETERS

Robert &#8220Bob” Peters, 83, died Aug. 27, 2006, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

He was born March 4, 1923, in Melrose, Minn. and was raised in St. Cloud, Minn.

He served in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II as a motor machinist mate third class aboard the USS Lynx.

He was wounded in action in the South Pacific and honorably discharged in April 1946. Prior to entering the service, he performed as an aircraft mechanic at Douglas Aircraft Company in support of the war effort.

He returned to Minnesota after the war, where he worked for the Minneapolis Bus Company before he was invited to Anchorage by an acquaintance.

He came to Anchorage as shop foreman for the Anchorage Bus Company in 1947.

In 1948, he married Frances Sleevi. Frances and daughter, Colleen, followed Bob to Anchorage in 1949, driving up the Alaska Highway to make their home in Bootlegger's Cove.

His son, Bob Jr., was born in Anchorage in 1951.

He left the bus company and joined the U.S. Postal Service in 1950 as one of the original seven parcel post carriers in Anchorage.

He also leased trucks to the Postal Service for a number of years while a carrier.

He served the public for more than 40 years with the Postal Service, winning many awards including a nomination as Federal Employee of the Year in Alaska, and awards for safe driving for compiling more than 1 million miles of accident-free driving.

His wife, Frances, died in 1996. He remained in Anchorage and married Rita Ashmore in 1999.

He was a member of Holy Family Cathedral, the Elks and the American Legion.

At the time of his death, he had been living at the Palmer Pioneers Home.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Frances; brothers, Bill, Ray &#8220Bud,” and Don; and sister, Jeanette.

Survivors include his wife, Rita; daughter and son-in-law, Colleen and Terry Gill of Rockford, Ill.; son, Bob Jr. and Vicki of Nampa, Idaho; and numerous stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family suggests donations in his name to the Alzheimer's Association.

Arrangements were made with Evergreen Memorial Chapel.

GEORGIA RUTH

VERGIS

Georgia Ruth Vergis, 75, an Alaska resident from 1967 to 1979, who then moved to Las Vegas, Nev., died Thursday, Aug. 24, 2006, at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland. She was born May 7, 1931, in Steubenville, Ohio, to Anthony and Elvera Vergis.

She is survived by sons, Myron Walker and his wife, Kristie, of Anchorage, Robert Walker and his wife, Charline, of Las Vegas, and Nick Walker and his wife, Ann-Marie, of Anchorage; daughter, Paula Jo Walker of Las Vegas; grandchildren, Shannon Parisotto of Reno, Nev., Jason Walker of Las Vegas, and Katelyn and Holly Walker of Anchorage; great-grandchildren, Brendan and Nicolas Parisotto of Reno; brother, Nick Vergis; sisters, Mary Phillips and Marcy Barcus; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services were Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Wintersville, Ohio.

ELEANOR GAIL WILLIAMS

Eleanor Gail Williams, 54, dies Aug. 28, 2006, at her home in Wasilla.

A celebration of life is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 7, 2006, at Providence Hospital Chapel.

She was born July 16, 1952, in McKeesport, Penn. She graduated from high school and then went into two years of nursing school.

She was a security specialist in the U.S. Army. In June 1997, she moved to Alaska.

She lived in Anchorage from 1997 to 2002, and then moved to Wasilla and spent the rest of her life there.

She was employed by Providence Alaska Medial Center. Some of her hobbies included polymer clay, working as an Iditarod assistant, and she was an extreme pet lover.

Her family stated she was &#8220a loving wife who always placed you first in all aspects of life while placing herself always last. (She was an) enthusiastic hobbyist and a pet lover unmatched. (She was) always giving her time to anyone in need before thinking of herself. (She was) a devoted team member of her fellow workers whatever her job. You were the sunshine in all of our lives, that light will always be there in our thoughts of you.”

She is survived by her husband, Kelly Williams of Wasilla; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Audrey Bewsher of Greensburg, Penn.; nephew, Jeffery Bewsher of Greensburg; niece, Jamie Bewsher of Greensburg; and longtime friend, Barbara Eiben of Palmer.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Providence Charity in Gail Williams' name.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.

CYNTHIA ANN

BRADFORD

Cynthia Ann Bradford, 52, died Aug. 25, 2006, at her home in Palmer. A service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, 2006, at Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla. Private burial will follow at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery.

She was born Sept. 23, 1953, in Houston, Texas. She moved to Alaska in the summer of 2004, and spent the rest of her life in Palmer.

Her family said, &#8220Cynthia was generous and a loving mother and mee-maw. Her kind and fun loving spirit will truly be missed by all that knew her.

&#8220She will always be loved and fondly remembered by family and friends. I love you, Mom.”

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Angelica and Dean Wiggers of Wasilla; daughter, Celeste Schrader of Texas; grandsons, Justin and Deveren Jacobson and Connor Wiggers of Wasilla; father, John Bullock of Arkansas; sisters, Beth Bullock of Arkansas and Sandra Kittley of Texas; brother-in-law, Yoshi Kittley of Wasilla; and niece, Amber Kittley of Wasilla; and many other nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations can be made to P.O. Box 870224, Wasilla, AK 99687.

The family would like flowers at the service.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.

ELBA ‘NELL' HINSON

Anchorage resident Elba &#8220Nell” Hinson, 75, died Aug. 21, 2006, at her home of pancreatic cancer.

A gathering to celebrate her life was held on Aug. 27, 2006, in Kanchee Park on South Klenn Street in Anchorage.

She was born Jan. 5, 1931, in Taylorsville, N.C. She grew up on a farm and was the youngest of seven siblings, all deceased. She began a career in nursing after graduating from Taylorsville High School in 1949.

She married Charlie Hinson in 1950.

The couple traveled to many places through the U.S. Air Force, living in Tennessee, Newfoundland, Canada, Texas, Virginia, and Alaska.

She has resided in Alaska since 1960.

She was a very upbeat, social person.

She raised dogs and always was active in her community.

Her generosity and kind heart were an inspiration to her family and everyone she came in contact with. She greeted customers and worked part-time in her son's retail store over the past 20 years.

She enjoyed gathering weekly with her friends (&#8220The Girls Club”), sharing stories from the past, and discussing current events and spiritual matters.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie; daughter-in-law, Sally Hinson; and granddaughter, Kate Hinson.

She is survived by two sons, Chuck Hinson of Girdwood and Steve Hinson of Anchorage; daughter-in-law, Juli Hinson; grandchildren, Sarah Hinson, Heidi Hinson and Shelby Hinson of Anchorage; and many, many friends.

She was mother to a host of young people through the years.

Arrangements with Witz-leben Family Funeral Home.

MILO M. ROUSCULP

Milo M. Rousculp, 85, died Aug. 28, 2006, in Anchorage of natural causes.

A memorial mass will be held in his honor at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Palmer. The family will hold a celebration of his life from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, at his home, 1530 Morrie Circle, Wasilla. If more information is needed, the family contacts are Gail Floyd at 357-4644 or Steve Rousculp at 746-3477.

He was born Oct. 15, 1920, in Lima, Ohio, where he graduated from high school.

He spent six years in the U.S. Army as a signal corpsman, coming to Alaska in 1941.

He lived in Anchorage from 1941 to 1947, Skwentna from 1947 to 1950, briefly in Unalakleet, in Cordova from 1950 to 1957, Kodiak from 1957 to 1963, back to Anchorage from 1963 to 1978, and then Wasilla from 1978 until his death.

He was in the Army from 1938 to 1944, then worked for the Civil Aeronautics Administration/Federal Aviation Administration from 1944 to 1975 in Anchorage, Skwentna, Unalakleet, Cordova and Kodiak (Woody Island), retiring in Anchorage in 1975. His hobbies were boat building, house building, golf and operating ham radios.

According to his family, the words that best describe Milo are &#8220everything honest - constant and strong”

He lived his life according to the words of Tecumseh, with integrity and compassion, and he &#8220Sang his death song, and died like a hero going home. We will all miss him.”

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Arlene and Tom Simpler of Kodiak; son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Joanne Rousculp of Palmer; daughter and son-in-law, Gail and Dave Floyd of Wasilla; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Carolyn Rousculp of Wasilla; daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Ben Cave of Anchorage; granddaughter, Karie, her husband Peter Anderson and their children, Emma and Erika of Valdez; grandson, Brett Simpler, his wife Kathy and their children Krista and Tosha of Kodiak; granddaughters, Bronwyn Simpler of Kodiak and Meghan Simpler of Minneapolis; grandson, Philip Timbrook of Seattle; grandson, Jeff Nelson, his wife Kristy and their children Jordan and Hannah of Wasilla; granddaughter, Stephanie Rousculp of Palmer; grandson, Ian Rousculp of Palmer; granddaughters, Brianna, Brittany and Kelcie Cave of Anchorage; grandson, Jamison Rousculp and wife Celena of Anchorage; grandson, Jake Rousculp and wife Mariko of Wasilla; and grandsons, Ben Rousculp of Wasilla and Joel Rousculp of Wasilla.

He was preceded in death by the true love of his life, Billie Carlson Rousculp.

Memorial donations can be made to charities of donors choice.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.

AINA LEMPI

HANTUNEN

Aina Lempi Hantunen, 91, died Aug. 25, 2006, at Providence Extended Care in Anchorage.

A service will be held at a later date in Cape Cod, Mass. Her ashes will be scattered at a later date at Nauset Beach in Cape Cod.

Aina was born March 4, 1915, in Chassell, Mich.

She married Unto Hantunen on Jan. 26, 1947, in Quincy, Mass.

She moved from Chatham, Mass., in 1999, following the death of her husband, to Anchorage to be near her daughter.

Aina was a homemaker extraordinare.

She enjoyed reading, gourmet cooking, gardening, watercolor painting and traveling. She especially enjoyed numerous trips to England and around the United States.

Her family wrote, &#8220She was a thoughtful, caring and fun-loving person who was always up for adventure whether it was dog mushing or working the fish wheel.

&#8220She said one was never too old to try something new.

&#8220Her spunkiness will be missed.”

Aina was preceded in death by her husband, Unto Hantunen; sister, Irma Bengston; sister, Antoinette Holmes; and brother, Roy Niemela.

She is survived by her brother, Lee Niemela of Haymarket, Va.; daughter, Jenny Zimmerman of Anchorage; daughter, Marie O'Neill of Sperryville, Va.; granddaughter, Kira O'Neill; and grandson, Trevor O'Neill.

Arrangements are with Witzleben Family Funeral Home.

Dr. Edward

Spencer

Former Alaska resident and physician, Edward Spencer, 86, died Aug. 28, 2006, at the Marysville Care Center in Marysville, Wash.

A memorial service will be Sept. 9, 2006, at 2 p.m. at the Beachwood Room near 20420 Marine Drive, Stanwood, Wash., at Warm Beach Senior Community.

He was born June 13, 1920 in Woodstock, Ill., to Joseph and Anna Spencer, with three brothers, two sisters and numerous relatives.

He graduated in 1951 from University of Chicago Medical School, and before that from Greenville College in Greenville, Ill.

He married Mary Short on June 22, 1948, in Wessington Springs, S.D.

He and his family lived in Sitka for 36 years, then in Palmer and Eagle River for 12 years.

He greatly enjoyed being a family practice physician in Sitka and Palmer.

In his retirement, he and his wife traveled to many international Christian Medical & Dental Society meetings in South Africa, Taiwan, Norway and Greece.

They also loved to visit family in Tennessee, Texas and Washington state.

He was married for 58 years to Mary, and they had five children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his son, Dr. Mark and Cindy Spencer with grandson Dr. Joel and wife Kalin, and granddaughters Corrin and Paula; son, Dr. John and Judy Spencer with granddaughter Christy Spencer and husband Nate Szyba, grandson Aaron Spencer and wife Alicia with great-granddaughters Elisabeth and Kylee, and grandsons Daniel and Ryan; daughter, Sarah Spencer; daughter, Dorcas Spencer; daughter, Mary Alice Gibson and husband Terry Gibson, grandson Larry Wright and wife Sara with great-granddaughters Justice Jane and Allana Morgan.

He was active in the American Academy of Family Practitioners, American Medical Association, Christian Medical and Dental Society, Alaska State Medical Board, Sitka School Board and Sitka, Palmer and Eagle River Churches of the Nazarene.

He was well loved and appreciated by family, friends, and patients.

We will miss his clinical observations, his delightful kindheartedness, his love of ice cream and his joy in the love of Jesus.

Donations can be made to Overlake Christian Church Missions, 9900 Willows Road NE, Redmond WA 98052 or occ.org.

Words of sympathy may be sent to the family at 15114 19th PL W, Lynnwood, WA 98087.