September 12, 2006

Donavon Emil Wegner

Donavon Emil Wegner, 65 of Willow, died Sept. 10, 2006, in Willow.

He was born in Merrill, Wis., Aug. 7, 1941, to Emil And Dorothy Wegner. He grew up in Merrill and moved to Palmer in 1957 when he was 16. He graduated from Palmer High School. He met the love of his life of 45 years in 1960 and married her on Oct. 14, 1961, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Palmer.

He was a pillar of strength who provided great discipline, support, and unconditional love for all that knew him. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who protected and provided for his family at all costs. He was loved by all who crossed his path. Physically, he had a weak heart, but mentally, his heart was full of compassion and generosity.

He had many interests and did many jobs, including service attendant at Cottle's Fuel, truck driver for Evans Jones Coal Company, U.S. mail carrier from Palmer to Glenallen, Valdez harbormaster, and Valdez Police Department for 20 years.

He retired in 1991 and moved to Willow, where his family had a summer home. Don's interests were family, food, music (especially polka and playing the concertina), fishing, woodworking (turning bowls), traveling, volunteering for the Iditarod, and camping in their motor home.

During his professional career, he received many distinguished awards and belonged to many civic organizations. Some of the organizations he belonged to were Valdez Youth Basketball, Valdez Youth Baseball, Alaska Peace Officers Association, Valdez School Board, Alaska Association of School Boards and Pacific Rim School Board. He always went the extra mile to help wherever it was needed and was highly respected by his peers and community.

He is survived by his wife, Carole Wegner of Willow; brother, Dennis Wegner and wife Mary of Anchorage; daughter, Donale Leitch and husband James of Anchorage; sons, Todd Wegner and wife Sheri Beck of Valdez, and Mitchell Wegner and wife Tacia of Valdez; 13 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on 501 Bogard Rd., with the Rev. Duane Hanson officiating.

A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. in Valdez at the Valdez Cemetery on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 Bogard Rd. Wasilla, AK 99687.

Robert R. Stroup

Robert R. Stroup, 61, died at his home in Wasilla on Sept. 7, 2006.

He was the son of Robert and Edna Stroup.

A longtime residence of Alaska, he worked on construction projects throughout Alaska including the Trans Alaska Pipeline.

He was looking forward to receiving his 35-year pin from his Ironworkers Union (Local 757).

In Alaska, he was an award-winning welder in professional competition.

He was the first welder in the state of Alaska to be certified as a low temperature iron welder. His test performance helped set the standard for certification exams in the state.

He also held the distinction of being the first welder in Alaska capable of welding plastic.

He was a master craftsman with stained glass design and construction.

He also mastered an almost lost craft of basket weaving in the style of the Aleut Tribe.

Locally, he was a member of the Sons of the American Legion, where he served

as the historian and as the photographer.

He was a founding and charter member of the original ABATE chapter.

In 1967, he started a chapter of &#8220Trails and Trophy” racing (motocross).

By 1968, he was listed in the American Motorcycle Association, qualified for invitational races.

He was a member of his high school band, the Civil Air Patrol, the ROTC and a DeMolay.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert; a stepbrother, Ray Paddock, Jr.' and a stepsister, Shirly Davis (Mrs. Dick David).

He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Edna and Ray Paddock; daughter, Lori Stroup; sisters, Aleta Dyer and her husband Jeff, and Gayle Wright; stepbrother, James Paddock; stepsister, Carol Jorgenson and her husband Peter; many nieces and nephews, uncles and an aunt, cousins; his American Legion family; and longtime friend, R.T. Terranove.

A memorial service will be at the Wasilla American Legion Post 35 on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 4 p.m. Call 376-3500 for directions. Burial will be in the Ancestral Cemetery in Oklahoma.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Legion Post 35 in Wasilla, or a liver research foundation.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Harold Manning Steward Sr.

Harold Manning Steward, Sr. 76, died Sept. 7, 2006, in Big Lake (Golden Pond), due to natural causes.

A wake will be held Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006, in Eagle River at 2 p.m. For more information, please call Bonnie Steward at 696-3304.

He was born Nov. 6, 1929, in Kingston, N.Y. He went to school up through the third grade. He moved to Alaska in 1968. He lived in many cities throughout Alaska, including Kenai, Eagle River, Copper Center, and Wasilla, and he lived the last part of his life in Big Lake.

He was employed by the Local 302 Operating Engineers until 1986, when he retired. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking and carving.

His family said he was, &#8220A very special man with a huge heart!”

He is survived by his stepdaughter, Ocie Hampton of Miami, Fla.; stepdaughter, Jenny Ewing of Wasilla; daughter, Barbra Gift of Copper Center; son, Charlie Steward Sr. of Peters Creek; daughter, Bonnie Steward of Eagle River; son, Lloyd Steward of Big Lake; grandchildren, Tina Hogan of Wasilla, Charlie Steward Jr. of Peters Creek, Chad Steward of Peters Creek, and Brandon Steward of Big Lake; and many great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Harold Steward Jr.

His ashes will be scattered over the Copper River.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.