September 8, 2006

Paula Rae Daily

Big Lake resident, Paula Rae Daily, 52, died Sept. 2, 2006, in Wasilla. A service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, 2006, at Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla. The Rev. Steve Lavine will officiate at the service. There will be a potluck dinner at 7 p.m. Sept. 11, 2006, at the Houston Lodge in Houston.

Born Jan. 21, 1954, to Paul and Barbara Hosier in Placerville, Calif., she graduated from Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs, Calif., in 1972.

She was an active member of the high school swing band and marching band, and she played many musical instruments. Paula loved her three beautiful children more than words can say. She was a kind and giving soul and never turned away a person or animal in need. She loved music, gardening and her many pets, which included dogs, kittens and birds. Paula also was famous for her wonderful pies baked for almost any occasion.

In Oregon, she worked as a Head Start teacher, and after moving to Alaska, as a compassionate personal caregiver. In 1998, she married Timothy Daily and the family moved to Big Lake. Paula will be missed greatly by her family and friends.

Her family stated, &#8220Paula likes to go out on their lake in the boat and fish and play flute. She loves playing and talking with her cockatoo. Paula was also known for her wonderful baked pies, preserves and jams. Paula will be greatly missed by family and friends. Now she's pain free and in a better place.”

Survivors include her husband, Timothy Daily of Big Lake; her children, Stacy Lee Wilson of Colorado, and Paul Corey Hosier and Michelle Claire Winchester of Big Lake; her father, Paul Hosier of Placerville; her brothers, Robert Steven Hosier of Colorado and Grant Pete Hosier of California; and her sister, Barbara Jeanne Hosier of Anchorage. She was preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Claire Hosier.

Memorial donations can be made to Houston Lodge, General Delivery, Willow, AK 99688. Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

William ‘Bill' David Derner

William &#8220Bill” David Derner, 53, died Sept. 3, 2006, in Tangle Lakes. A service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, 2006, at Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla with a viewing at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery. The Rev. Paul Riley will officiate.

He was born June 30, 1953, in Spencer, Iowa. He moved to the Mat-Su Valley in 1972. He was the owner/operator of Caribou Construction. He was an awesome dad, husband, and friend to anyone. He loved his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Derner of Palmer; daughters, Lona and Talia Derner of Palmer; and sons, Clint and Wyatt Derner of Palmer. Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Ralph ‘Willey' B. Willey

Former longtime Alaska resident Ralph "Willey" B. Willey, 66, died suddenly on Feb. 2, 2006, at his home in Zanesville, Ohio. A memorial celebration of his life will be Saturday, Sept. 23, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Lake Louise Lodge, after which his ashes will be spread in Lake Louise. Letters and remembrances of Willey may be sent to his wife, Rebecca, at 5240 E. 42nd Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99508.

Elizabeth Anna Phillips

Elizabeth Anna Phillips passed away at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, 2006, at the age of 86. She died of natural causes in the comfort of her own home at Mile 7.5 on South Big Lake Road in Big Lake. She was in the company of her granddaughter, Skye Phillips, who was holding her hand as she passed away. Her husband, Douglas, died 19 years ago at Valley Hospital in Palmer.

She was born in Chicago, Ill., in 1919. She grew up in various areas of California with her mother, two sisters and two brothers. She was the youngest in her immediate family.

She and her husband, Douglas W. Phillips, and their oldest son, Douglas W. Phillips Jr. (Chico) moved to Anchorage in the early 1940s, where her son, Michael, and daughter, Cathi, were born. In 1956, they homesteaded in Big Lake, where she and her family have resided for the last 50 years.

She is survived by one older brother, Robert Colborn; her two sons, Chico and Michael; her daughter, Cathi; grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A gathering of family and friends will be September 16 at her home in Big Lake. Her family asks that all those who knew Elizabeth or her family please join them for a celebration of her life. For information, contact Cathi at 892-7571, Michael at 892-8790, or Skye at 232-2002. Thank you and God bless.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Jean Foss

Jean Foss, 77, died Sept. 1, 2006, due to cancer, at her home in Wasilla surrounded by family. A funeral service was Sept. 7, 2006 at Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.

The Rev. Tom Huffman officiated, and a reception followed at the Wasilla Senior Center.

She was born March 26, 1929, in Green River, Wyo. She attended schools in Green River. She then went to Westminster College in Salt Lake City, and graduated from St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City with her nursing degree.

She moved to Alaska from Oregon in 1967, and she and her family lived in Anchorage and then Wasilla.

She was employed as a registered nurse at the V.A. Hospital in Roseburg, Ore., and retired in 1965. Jean also worked at Anchorage Medical and Surgical Clinic for a number of years.

She was affiliated with the Fairview Loop Baptist Church, Amaranth; Alumni of St. Marks Hospital, Westminster College, and Christian Women's Club.

She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading, baking cookies, her church activities, and her cat, Missy. Prior to her husband, Merle's, death in January, they both enjoyed traveling the United States in their fifth-wheel trailer.

Her family stated, &#8220Jean was loved by all and will be remembered for being a mother, sister and grandmother to her entire church family. She always had a hug and a smile for those who came to visit. She will be greatly missed by us, but we know she is now with her beloved Merle, our dad and grandpa. We love you, Mom.”

She is survived by daughter, Lynne Mills of Federal Way, Wash.; grandchildren, Shane and Vernetta Moberly of Kotzebue; Doug and Julie Williams of Anchorage; Wayne Lee of Menifee, Calif.; Tawnya and Jorge Brito of Murietta, Calif.; son-in-law, Dave Mills of Anchorage; sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Frank Hoffman of Milwaukie, Ore.; four great-granddaughters and cousin, Norma Jean Smith of Green River, Wyo.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle; son, Wayne; sister, Roberta Crose; and brother, Robert Davis.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Fairview Loop Baptist Church Building Fund, 3118 W. Fairview Loop, Wasilla, AK 99654. Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Theo Jerome

Koppenberg

Theo Jerome Koppenberg, 78, passed away Sept. 2, 2006, at his residence in Nenana. No services are scheduled.

He was born on April 1, 1928, in Pine River, Minn.

He was a member of the Merchant Marines and the U.S. Army and moved to Palmer in 1950.

He also lived in Cordova, Fairbanks and rural Nenana. He was a master woodworker.

His family said, &#8220Jerome was at home and cared for by his loving wife, DeVonne, and stepson, Tom. Each was holding his hand when he lost his courageous one-year battle with cancer. During his last nine years, he enjoyed time spent with his wife, DeVonne, and stepson, Tom. He will be dearly missed by many.”

He was preceded in death by his parents and adopted son.

Survivors include his wife, DeVonne, of Nenana; sisters, Thelma Koppenberg and Lourie Rowe (Jim) of Alaska; brother, Sam (Roberta) of Alaska; stepson, Tom Schleicher, of Alaska; two daughters, Hally (Mike) Truelove and Sally (Jay) Erickson, both of Alaska; son, Aaron (Angela) of Texas; former wife, Hazel Koppenberg, of Alaska; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two step-daughters and families in Minnesota; step-sons in Minnesota; a step-daughter in California; nieces, nephews and family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to, Healy Medical Clinic, P.O. Box 62, Healy, AK, 99743 (907) 683-2211; Interior Alaska Cancer Association, P.O. Box 80063 Fairbanks, AK, 99708 (907) 374-0974; or Hospice of the Tanana Valley, 706 3rd Ave. Fairbanks, AK, 99701.

Jerome's ashes will be scattered near Chandala Lake in the Brooks Mountain Range at a later date.

H.A. ‘Buz' Hoffman

H.A. &#8220Buz” Hoffman, 71, died Sept. 9, 2006, at his home in Wasilla. Per Buz's wishes, no services will be held.

He was born Feb. 20, 2006, in Tacoma, Wash. He was a self-educated man. He moved to Wasilla in 1976. He worked at various banks for 40 years, and in 1996 he retired from the banking profession. Upon retirement, he was on the board of directors and was past president of Settler's Bay Owners Association.

He enjoyed traveling, mowing the law, reading, taking walks and exercising with his wife of 51 years.

He is survived by his wife, Juanita of Wasilla; daughter and son-in-law, Toni and Bob Fassino of Wasilla; son and daughter-in-law, Kurt and Linda Hoffman of Kelso, Wash.; son, Karl Hoffman of Falls Church, Va.; daughter, Kim Swanson of Post Falls, Idaho; sister and brother-in-law, June and Ray Murphy of Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Linda Kelly of Oregon; grandchildren, Darrah Gilliam of North Dakota, Christopher Fassino of Wasilla, Jake and Justin Hoffman of Kelso, Richard Swanson of Palmer, and Buster, Josh and Zachery Hoffman of Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Mat-Su.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Timothy Joseph McKeown

Timothy McKeown, 67, of Sunshine, passed away suddenly Sept. 1, 2006, while treating a patient during an emergency response as a medic first responder.

A celebration of his life will take place at the Willow Community Center in Willow Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006, at 3 p.m. There will be a potluck following the service.

A second memorial will be held in Coos Bay, Ore., on

Oct. 29.

He was born in North Bend, Ore., Oct. 30, 1937, and served in the Air Force SAC during the 50s.

He owned and operated two dairy farms, and was self employed as a long-haul truck driver for many years. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, as his grandfather had been, and was a paralegal.

He lived in Sunshine with his family for 16 years, and was active in community affairs to the best of his ability while watching the area grow. He responded as part of the medical teams in the area with his primary service being Willow.

Tim looked forward to serving on the medical team for the Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival in Sunshine every year, and performing public service as a medic with local schools and at football games. He loved Halloween and enjoyed playing Santa Claus and giving gifts. He rarely turned down an opportunity to serve his community, and was a good neighbor.

Survivors include his wife, Virgie; sons, T. John McKeown of Portland, Ore., Virgil Hartley of Anchorage, Eric Hartley and wife Kaitlyn of Lacey, Wash., Russell Hartley of Coos Bay, Christian Hartley and daughter-in-law Alma of Willow, and Brian Hartley of Sunshine; daughters, Shary McKeown and husband John of Portland, Robynn Reed and husband Mike of North Bend, and Carol Stater of Peters Creek; brother, Dr. Michael McKeown and wife Pat of Portland; 12 grandchildren, one great-grandson, and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Raymond and Mrs. Charlotte (Van Cleve) McKeown, and infant son, Robert.

Per his request, he was an organ donor, and cremation arrangements were handled by Kehl's Mortuary in Palmer. In lieu of flowers, please treat your loved ones to something special or donate to the charity of choice.