VERN L. CULLING

Vern Lee Culling of Wasilla died at Valley Hospital in Palmer on Jan. 16, 2002. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, 2002, at AMVETS Post No. 9 in Wasilla, with Matt Matthews officiating. A potluck remembrance will be upstairs following the service.

Mr. Culling was born March 31, 1937, in Braymer, Mo. He graduated from Braymer High School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1962, then in the reserves until 1964. He attained the rank of E-5, and his sea duty was aboard the Coral Sea.

He came to Alaska in 1953, residing in Anchorage until 1975. He then moved to Wasilla, where he resided until the time of his death.

Mr. Culling was a member of Carpenter's Union Local 1281 from 1964 to 1986. He worked on many union dispatched jobs all over Alaska, Washington and Hawaii. He especially enjoyed his Bush jobs with Rockford Corporation.

He was supervisor of the Arctic Youth Organization of the Moose Lodge 1534 in Anchorage for several years. He enjoyed working with young people. He was a member of the Elk's Lodge, VFW and AMVETS. He enjoyed boating, deep sea fishing, gardening and softball.

His family said, "Vern never met a stranger. His smile was infectious. He was a loving husband and father. He was loved dearly and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. His memory will forever live in our hearts."

Survivors are his wife, Vikki R. Culling of Wasilla; children, Vern Culling Jr. of Wasilla, Jeffrey Culling of Anchorage and Kevin Culling of Lansing, Mich.; grandchildren, Amilynn, Lydia, Forrest and Zachery; cousins, Gary and Judy Vanderpool, Dwight and Candy Vanderpool; and other relatives in the Lower 48.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory.