Alaska School Yearbooks by County
Leslie Phillips
Juneau resident Leslie Charles Phillips died peacefully Dec. 21, 2009, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. He was 64.
Born May 13, 1945, in Petersburg to Frances Betts and David Phillips, he attended grade school and high school in Petersburg. After graduating Petersburg High School in 1963, he and his older brother, Bill Phillips, went on to RCA Electronics school in Los Angeles. Les then went on to New York City for more training. He was recruited by Xerox as a repair technician in 1964.
He and his high school sweetheart, Mildred Skeek, were married on Nov. 26, 1965 in Berkeley, Calif. Les and Millie spent their first few years in San Francisco and later returned to Alaska where their daughters, Yvonne and Davida, were born. He remained in Juneau and later retired from Xerox after 35 years.
Some of his greatest joys were his grandchildren, Kenndra, Joash and Rain. He also spent many hours fishing and hunting with his brothers and nephews. Les also enjoyed reading, playing poker and spending time with best friend, Jack Marshall. Whenever you saw him, Jack wasn't far behind, his family said. You would see the two at Fred Meyer, out delivering the Capital City Weekly and fishing off the dock at DIPAC.
He was preceded in death by his father, David Phillips; mother, Frances Cropley; and brothers, David and Daniel Phillips.
He is survived by his daughter, Yvonne Phillips and partner, Christen Reinke, of Loveland, Colo.; daughter, Davida Phillips, of Anchorage; granddaughter, Kenndra Phillips and fiance, Derek Nelson, of Anchorage; grandson, Joash Austin, of Anchorage; granddaughter, Rain Knott, of Anchorage; soon-to-be great-grandson, Cha'ak Keet Nelson; siblings, Sally Phillips, of Juneau, Bill Phillips, of Petersburg, Vera Moeller and partner Leroy Ellis, of Portland, Ore.; Kathy Honea and husband Art, of Juneau, Jesy Phillips, of Juneau; Barbara Johnson, of Yakutat; Loraine "Tiny" Phillips, of Anchorage; Annabel "Dolly" Peterson, of Richmond Beach, Wash.; Hank Phillips and wife, Jan, of Anchorage; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at the Tlingt Haida Community Center in Juneau. Arrangements are entrusted to the Cremation Society of Alaska. Condolences can be sent to Jack Marshall, 9329 Turn St., Juneau, AK 99081.
Sonja Felkl
Former Juneau resident Sonja Felkl died unexpectedly at her home in Eugene, Ore., on July 17, 2009. She was 63.
Born Jan. 18, 1946, in Innsbruck, Austria, she grew up in Vienna and immigrated to Juneau on Sept. 12, 1964. She gained citizenship on Nov. 16, 1990, and considered it a great honor to become a U.S. citizen and told people it was "a right to cherish."
In June 1998, she retired from the state of Alaska Division of Personnel after 19 years of service. In 1999, she moved from Juneau to Oregon in search of a sunnier climate.
Her family remembers her as the most loving and caring mother and grandmother, kind hearted, and possessing a gentle and soothing voice. Considerate towards others, she was a special peacemaker and a very spiritual person. She found joy in the simple things in life, and by example, helped others do the same. She was compassionate toward all living things, conscious of preserving Earth's beauty and conservation of natural resources.
She is survived by her daughter, Manuela Felkl, with whom she lived with in Eugene, Ore.; son, Stephan Felkl; grandchildren, Corinna, Joseph and Rain, all of Juneau; and brother, Hans Loible, of Vienna.
Stray and abandoned animals held a special place in her heart, and quite often, her home. For those who wish to do so, a donation to the Gastineau Humane Society may be made in her name.
There will be a "celebration of life" held in Juneau from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, at 9081 Miner Court. For more information call Manuela Felkl at 789-2843 or e-mail Stephan Felkl at info@acerecording.com.
Donna Lorraine Trompeter
Former Juneau resident Donna Lorraine Trompeter (Nowlin) died peacefully Dec. 14, 2009, in Peoria, Ariz., after having suffered a long illness. She was 48.
She worked for the U.S Forest Service in Juneau after graduating from Juneau-Douglas High School. She transferred to their San Francisco office in 1987 and continued working for them for almost 10 years.
She met her husband, Stephen, in California and married in 1999. They moved to Arizona in July 2000, where they built their first home. They adopted two kittens, Misha and Sadie.
In 1997, Donna and Stephen traveled the country, visiting 30 states in 30 days. But of all the places she visited, her wish was to vacation in Alaska over Hawaii or Walt Disney World.
She is survived by her husband, Stephen Trompeter, from Arizona, her mother, Hazel Nowlin; sister, Peggy Boman (husband Walter); nephew, Jeffrey Boman (wife Lisa; daughters, Madelyn and Parker); nephew, Andrew Boman (wife, Meridith; daughter, Lydia and son David); brother, Tom Nowlin; nephew, Paul Nowlin; niece Danielle Bezotte; great-niece, Adelaine Bezotte; brother, Don Nowlin; nephew, Brian Nowlin; and niece, Elizabeth Nowlin.
Services will be held Jan. 2 in Sun City West, Ariz. A celebration of her life will be held in July 2010 in Juneau and will be announced at a later date.
Please consider making a donation in her memory to the American Lung Association, the American Diabetes Association or your local Humane Society.
Rose Marie Ragone
Juneau resident Rose Marie Ragone died Dec. 19, 2009, peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her loved ones in Juneau. She was 79.
Born May 12,1930, in Los Angeles, she was the only child of Michael and Carmen Ragone.
Friends and family remember Rose as being a beautiful woman both inside and out, a great story teller, funny, intelligent, an excellent cook and "just a joy to be around."
She was blessed with a beautiful voice and as a young woman was lead soprano in several well known operas, her family said. In addition, she was an excellent cook, who could turn a simple dish into something amazing and delicious.
She was preceded in death by her her oldest son, Michael Mastronardo, who died in 1997.
She is survived by her three daughters, Estelle Hansen and husband, Remy, of Utah, Carmen Mastronardo Katasse and husband, John, of Juneau, and Rochelle Sabadin Chappell, of Juneau; son, Dennis Sabadin and partner, Leighetta, of Juneau; grandchildren, Jon and partner, Carolyn, Jaysen and wife, Brooke, Natalie and husband, Aaron, Frank and fiancé, Stacy, Gina, Mary and husband, Alex, Michael, Jayme, Marco, Steven, Joseph and Angelo; and great-grandchildren, Bella Rose, Jada, Noah, Jacob and Jessica Rose.
A memorial service was held Tuesday at the Cathedral of the Nativity.
Melvin Daroff
Former Haines and Juneau resident Melvin Frederic Daroff died Dec. 7, 2009, in El Segundo, Calif. He was 82.
Born Sept. 16, 1927, in Haines and raised in Juneau at Fish Creek and on Starr Hill, he worked in his younger days clearing trails with the Forest Service at Eagle River and Mount Juneau.
As a World War II veteran, he spent his service career in Southeast Alaska on supply vessels and installing lighting on many islands. An early love of aviation led him to his career with Alaska Coastal Airlines as a mechanic prior to their merger with Alaska Airlines.
He married his sweetheart, Carol Wood, in 1956 and they spent 53-plus wonderful years together. They moved to California in 1966 and lived in El Segundo until his death.
As a member of the Optimist Club, he spent many hours helping children at the children's hospital in Los Angeles. He spent most summers and even some winters in Juneau and nearby areas. He was a private pilot and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He still owns property in Gustavus.
A generous and loving man, he will be greatly missed, his family said.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Daroff, of El Segundo; son, David Daroff, wife, Pam, and their children, Jamie and Katie, of Salt Lake City, Utah; daughter, Wendy Nelson and husband, Tom, and their children, Chris and Courtney, all of Juneau; daughter, Vicki Harvey and husband, Jim, and their children, Elizabeth and Stephen, of Escondido, Calif.; many friends and family; and nephews, George and Dennis Pleasants and their families, and best friend, Axel Nelson, all of Juneau.
A memorial service will be held in Juneau this summer. For information, call Wendy Nelson at 209-2140.
