Thomas "Blackie" Walter Schiefer, 70, died March 4, 2002, as a result of pneumonia at Elmendorf Hospital, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at the Wasilla VFW Post, with a celebration of life at 4 p.m. at the Mug-Shot Saloon in Wasilla.

Mr. Schiefer was born in Rockford, S.D., on March 2, 1932. He attended school in Wyoming, where he also worked as a ranch hand and rode Brahma bulls and broncos in local rodeos. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1950 during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He married Carma Whittaker soon after leaving the service. They raised two daughters, Jennie and Peggy. He worked in the Wyoming oil fields for R.L. Manning & Brinkerhoff. In 1968 he moved to the Alaskan oil fields, working at Cold Bay and the North Slope for Brinkerhoff & Nabors oil companies.

"His accomplishments and his character have made him an oil field legend," his loved ones wrote.

In 1987 he retired from the oil field and owned Blackie's Place, which was located at Mile 18.5 Knik-Goose Bay Road, where he had the renowned beer-drinking cow. Mr. Schiefer resided in Wasilla until his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kathryn and Arnold "Shorty" Schiefer; brother, Clarence Schiefer; and sister, Shirley Burt.

He was survived by his wife, Carma Schiefer of Eagle River; daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Burton Kohler of Anchorage; daughter, Jennie (Impy) Johnston of Wasilla; grandchildren, Scott, Kathryn, Jeffrey Kohler of Anchorage, Carrie Johnston-Carnes of Fairbanks, Andrea (Angela) Ellenson of Moorhead, Minn., Jordan and Jade Johnston of Wasilla; great-grandchildren, Traci and Cheyenne Kohler of Anchorage, Jasminne and Alexandra of Fairbanks, Tristian and Thailie of Moorhead, Minn.; others who loved and respected him as their father and grandfather: Erika Pennington and Jacob Mayer of Las Vegas, Nev., Andy Glacken and Andrew McKiermen of North Pole, Jolene, Dennis, Eli and Samantha Baird of Wasilla, Jillian Baird of Wasilla, Jessie and Teddy Baird of Grand Junction, Colo., Clint Tanner of Anchorage; and a multitude of friends who loved him.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home of Wasilla