Heritage Wasilla Funeral Home

03/09/2026

Obituary for Barry Claude Dearborn

December 25,1942 - February 3, 2026

Barry Claude Dearborn passed away peacefully at home on February 3, 2026, with his devoted family surrounding him. Born in Providence, RI, on Christmas Day, 1942, Barry and twin brother Larry L. Dearborn were the first two of five children (siblings Jay, Jeff and Jenny). In 1965 Barry married Martha Anderson, and was a loving, participating dad to sons Eric, Kevin, and daughter Melissa. In 1978 he married Mary Ann Van Veldhuisen and gained another son, Nicholas.

In 1950, his father and mother Curtis and Doris Dearborn, accepted an assignment in Alaska and with the family and traveled up the newly completed Alaska Highway to Palmer, settling at the Agricultural Experimental Station. Shortly thereafter, they moved to their family-built new home on their nearby homestead (now the Dearborn farm) and swam and water skied at their Finger Lake property.

Graduating as Valedictorian in 1960 from Palmer High School, Barry earned his BA and MA degrees (with honors) in electrical engineering/computer technology from Oregon State University in Corvallis. Enlisting in the military in 1967, he spent 3 & 1/2 years at Fort Mead, MD, subsequently leaving the USAF as a Captain in 1971. From there came a few years at the Naval Weapons Center in China Lake, CA, then back to his beloved Alaska. In 2001 he lived on the Oregon coast for 3+ years, before moving back to Finger Lake to design and build his beautiful home.

His Alaska working career began with ML & P in Anchorage, then ended with the Bureau of Land Management until his retirement. He often helped his geologist brother

Larry with hydrology projects throughout the state. In his free time, Barry was also a skier, a 5K – 10K runner, hiker, and an active sportsman at golf, hockey, fishing, & hunting. He was also a skilled woodworker, part-time electrician, and craftsman. Most recently, he was a cheering grandpa at his grandkid’s sporting events.

Music was a huge part of Barry’s life - from his college group “The Lancers” where he played lead guitar and sang harmonies (paid his way through college) to most recently, with his partner Kathy Claiborne playing for 10+years at the Alaska state fair and various state festivals as “The Whee Duet Band”. Brother Jay frequently joined them.

Surviving him are his 4 children,12 amazing grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and his beloved partner Kathy Claiborne.

Barry was a truly kind, considerate, and helpful person who consistently followed “The Golden Rule”. He will be deeply and sadly missed by family, and his many beloved close friends and musician pals. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. We hope that your best remembrances of Barry remain personal, heartfelt and enduring.

View Barry Dearborn's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/08/2026

Robert "Bert" Ayer Hall Sr., son of Richard and Hazel Hall, born on September 19, 1933, passed away on November 4, 2025, in the presence of his family, due to a bout with pneumonia after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer's. He was 92 years old.

Bert was born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts. He was active in scouting and ultimately earned the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating high school in 1950 he enrolled in the Lowell Technological Institute, where he became involved in numerous activities including student government, theatre and glee club, and community/fellowship service organizations. In his senior year he served as president of the Iona Student Fellowship, an organization dedicated to fulfilling the religious needs of students of the Protestant faith. He graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor’s degree in Synthetic Textile Manufacturing.

After graduation Bert was drafted into the Army. During the following two years he was assigned to Fort Dix in New Jersey, where he earned recognition as Outstanding Soldier in 1955, Fort Lewis in Washington, and finally to Fort Richardson in Alaska, where he served as a medic. It was during this third assignment that he fell in love not only with Alaska, but also with Helen Trice, whom he loved so deeply that he ultimately married her three times!

Bert’s unwavering religious faith next took the newlyweds to Berkeley, California, and the Berkeley Baptist Divinity School. Bert studied to become a minister and graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1960; twenty years later his degree was upgraded to a Master of Divinity by the American Baptist Seminary of the West.

After seminary the Halls returned to Alaska with two young sons, Robert and Mark. Bert became Pastor for the American Baptist Church in Cordova, and over the next few years he and Helen were blessed with two more children, Sheryl and David. In 1964 they took in many people from Chenega, a nearby village which had to be abandoned after the ‘64 earthquake spawned a 27’ tsunami that completely destroyed it. Their selfless act truly endeared the Halls to both communities.

Bert’s sense of civic responsibility eventually compelled him to set aside his pastoral duties. The family moved to Anchorage in 1965, and what followed was a long list of civic engagements, employments, and memberships (not necessarily in chronological order), including: Executive Director of the United Way of Anchorage; Scoutmaster and member of the Western Alaska Council, Boy Scouts; Deputy Commissioner/Commissioner of the State of Alaska Department of Health and Welfare; Alaska Liaison to the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; Director of the Department of Health & Environmental Protection, Municipality of Anchorage; President of the Alaska Public Health Association; Executive Assistant to U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski in Anchorage and Washington, DC.; Director of Health & Social Services, North Slope Borough, Barrow; Director of the Department of Health & Social Services, Municipality of Anchorage; Associate Director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Anchorage Outpatient Clinic / Regional Office; Alaska Representative to the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association, including one term as President; Member of the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars during the Reagan and Bush administrations; Chairman of the Alaska Parole Board; Chairman of the Alaska Comprehensive Health Advisory Council; Chairman of the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council; Chairman of the Alaskan of the Year Committee; Member of the Alaska Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse; Member of the Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies - University of Alaska Anchorage Magadan-Chukotka Medical Expedition; President of the Rotary International Anchorage Club; Chairman of the Wasilla Chamber Military Affairs Board; Member of the [Matanuska] Valley Performing Arts Board; Member of the [Matanuska] Valley Christian Conference Board; Member of the Wasilla Rotary Club; Board member of the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry.

Other notable achievements: Jaycee’s Distinguished Service Award, 1966; Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award, 1969; Alaska Public Health Association Long-Term Service Award, 1983; Alaska Public Health Association 1988 Barbara Berger Award; Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Award, Military Committee, 1993-94; Honorary member of the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, 2001; Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, 2001; US Army Commander’s Award for Public Service, 2004; The Alaska Distinguished Service Medal, for eight years of service to the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council, 2012; 52 years of perfect attendance in Rotary International. He was the Inaugural recipient of the Bert Hall Award, Mat-Su Health Foundation, June 10, 2013; an annual award dedicated to recognizing individuals who consistently exemplify a commitment to improving the health and wellness of people in the Mat-Su Borough.

Bert leaves behind a loving family. His wife Helen. Son Robert “Bob” and wife Amy. Son Mark. Daughter Sheryl (Wittig) and husband Michael. Son David and wife Joan. Adored grandchildren: Robyn Hall and Kiva Ketcham; Rebecca and Michael Wittig; Svea, Brigitta, and Annika Hall. Niece Margaret Levine. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brother, Richard Hall.

One of Bert’s pastimes in later years was reading obituaries, so if he is in a place where he can still read them, he might appreciate seeing this, as a reminder of all of the good things he will long be remembered for.

The Celebration of Bert’s Life will take place beginning at 4pm on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla. The family requests that any donations be given to Alzheimer’s Resource Alaska (AlzAlaska.org/donate).

https://www.legacyalaska.com/obituaries/Robert-Bert-Hall-Sr?obId=46597196

View Robert "Bert" Hall Sr's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/08/2026

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the achievements of women everywhere and honor the contributions they make to families, communities, and the world.

03/07/2026

June Oberg, 92, passed away peacefully at her assisted living facility on February 2, 2026. She was an amazing mother, a Valley legend, and “Grannie” to all the children she ever interacted with. She will be sorely missed.

She was born Melissa June Duncan on June 25, 1933, in Slater, Colorado. Her father passed away when she was just an infant, and she grew up in the mountains of Colorado, on a ranch run by her incredible and competent mother, surrounded by her sister and six brothers.

She married Clyde Frank Oberg on June 25, 1950, on her 17th birthday. Just over a month later, the couple moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where June graduated from Anchorage High School in 1951.

In 1953, the Oberg's moved to Palmer and purchased 160 acres on Fishhook Road. They spent the next several years developing the land, building a barn, and procuring cows in order to start Fishhook Dairy, which they ran successfully until 1973.

June started the OK Catering Company in 1973 with her good friend Janet Kincaid. This was a natural fit, since June was an amazing cook and baker. She served hundreds of tourist's lunches in her home each day of the summer for 13 years and also catered for many events in Anchorage and the Valley. She was especially well-known for her go-to menu of sticky buns, beef stew, and rhubarb pie.

As their own six children grew, Clyde and June opened their home and hearts to more than 40 foster children. In 1974, she was selected as the Alaska Mother of the Year and represented the state in Washington D.C.

In 1986, Clyde and June answered a call to serve an 18-month-long mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nigeria. They loved the people there and the service they were able to give. They served a second mission in Grenada in 1990, where June, in her fifties, finally learned to swim.

June was an active member of the Palmer chapter of Lions Club International and was one of the first women to join after women were admitted in 1997. She was the first female president here in Palmer. She served in many capacities, from volunteering at sporting events, to the gun show, to road clean up. You could always count on June to be there.

June loved to garden, and was known for her beautiful landscaping, hanging baskets, and flower gardens. She also grew wonderful vegetables and loved her greenhouse.

She was a member of the Palmer Historical Society and for many years provided refreshments at their monthly meetings.

As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in many capacities, including as the leader (Relief Society President) of her congregation’s women’s group. She also taught children of many ages and for many years served in the Nursery where she loved the littlest ones while their parents attended Sunday School.

June’s hands were never still—she kept busy sewing, knitting wool socks, spinning yarn, weaving rugs on her loom, and making upcycled mittens from sweaters. Each year she made and donated more than 50 pairs of handmade mittens to the Special Santa Project. Even as dementia took away many of her hobbies in the past few years, she enjoyed sewing potholders to give to her grandchildren and folding any laundry she could find. She had a servant’s heart to the end.

Everyone June ever met was fed, cared for, and brought into her wide circle of love.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Clyde Oberg, son David Oberg, and grandchildren Jared Hammond and Tillie Teichert. She is survived by daughter-in-law Kathy Oberg, daughters Linda Hammond (Bill), Carol Kenley (Chuck), Bonnie Victors (Chris), Clyda Teichert (Briant), Lila Willardson (Barry), and foster son Henry Hensen (Janet), as well as 30 grandchildren, 101 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held at 2 pm on February 14, followed by a funeral service at 3 pm, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 9475 E Bogard Road. All who knew and loved her are invited to come celebrate her beautiful, long life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the Palmer Lions Club in June’s memory.

View June Oberg's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/07/2026

It’s time to spring forward! As we adjust our clocks for Daylight Saving Time, we look ahead to longer days and new beginnings.

03/07/2026

Esther May Starkey (65) passed away peacefully in her home in Wasilla, Alaska on January 26, 2026.

She was born in Chignik Lake on May 19, 1960 to Mary Constantine and Johnny Constantine. She had three siblings – Tina Pedersen, Eddie Constantine and Myra Constantine.

Her family lived in Chignik Lake during the winter months where she attended school. She had one child, DaWayne Constantine and he had 2 sons, Conner and Trevor Constantine (her grandsons). During the summer months they commercial fished at Chignik Lagoon and that was where she met her husband, William (Bill) Starkey. He was a pilot and fisherman for her Uncle Nick.

Shortly after meeting Bill, they were employed at Mission Lodge in Aleknagik, Alaska where she was a housekeeper and Bill was a pilot. They married at Mission Lodge.

After many years in Aleknagik, they moved to Skwentna, Alaska. They spent many hours on the winter trail between Skwentna and Willow hauling in supplies on snowmachine and by boat on the river in the summer to build their retirement home. After Bill became ill, they moved to Wasilla, Alaska, as cutting and hauling firewood and fuel grew to be too much for Esther and Bill needed to be closer to medical care.

In the summer of 2000, Esther and Bill went to work for Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), soon after went under new management of Southcentral Foundation. They were managers of the Silver Salmon Fish Camp located on Silver Salmon Creek in the Lake Clark National Park where they worked until 2020. It was there where many life-long friendships were made with members of the CIRI/SCF family.

In 2018, Katherine Gottlieb’s daughter, Angel, helped arrange a surprise for Esther at Silver Salmon Creek. A small plane landed on the beach and her son, DaWayne, and, grandson, Conner, jumped out of plane. They got to spend a couple of wonderful days catching Silver Salmon at the Creek. This was a very special moment for Esther and she cried when they landed and when they departed.

When at home in Wasilla, Esther loved to take long road trips and often traveled to Homer and Seward to fish. She loved to gather seashells and other trinkets washed up by the ocean, special rocks and unique pieces of driftwood.

Esther will be once again joined with Bill later this summer when her ashes are spread at Silver Salmon Fish Camp amongst the grass, the trees, the streams and the ocean of a place she dearly loved.

Esther is survived by her son, DaWayne; grandson, Conner; Esther’s only surviving sibling, Myra and many, many other relatives.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her parents, her grandson, Trevor and her siblings, Tina and Eddie.

May she rest in peace.

View Esther May Starkey's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/06/2026

Behind every meaningful service is a team of dedicated people. On Employee Appreciation Day, we celebrate the individuals who show up each day with care, integrity, and compassion.

03/03/2026

To the caregivers who provide comfort and dignity, your impact is immeasurable. On Caregiver Appreciation Day, we celebrate your selfless service and heartfelt care.

03/01/2026

From pioneers and caregivers to mentors and leaders, Women's History Month celebrates the contributions of women across all walks of life. We recognize their strength, wisdom, and impact.

02/27/2026

Funeral ceremonies give us a way to gather, reflect, and share in the grief together. They help us begin the healing process and honor a life that mattered. Learn more about the importance of ceremony here: https://www1.legacyalaska.com/unique-funeral-options

02/25/2026

Your grief is valid, no matter what it looks like. 💬

02/23/2026

Keep a part of them close with fingerprint jewelry and keepsakes. From pendants to keychains, each piece is handcrafted and personal, carrying their touch wherever you go. Learn more about these meaningful tributes here: https://www.legacyalaska.com/caskets-urns-and-keepsakes/urns-and-keepsakes