Obituaries | Juneau Independent

Obituaries and death notices

Obituaries and death notices can be submitted using the form below, or by emailing them to editor@juneauindependent.com. The following guidelines apply:

• Death notices up to 75 words: Free.

• Full-length obituary with no photo: $25

• Full-length obituary with photo: $50

• For obituaries with multiple photos, videos and/or other content, contact editor@juneauindependent.com.

The following guidelines are offered for what to include: Full name, date of birth, date of death, age at the time of death, brief biography (place of birth, career highlights, weddings, hobbies, and significant life achievements), service information (date, time, and location of funeral or memorial services), flower or donation information, names of family members (deceased and surviving).

Obituary: Geraldine (Savikko) Straty

After 90 years of exploration, Geraldine (Savikko) Straty transitioned peacefully on April 19, 2026, after a very brief illness.

Memorial: Ken Coate (May 13, 1953- Jan. 25, 2026)

A memorial for Ken Coate will begin with the internment of his ashes at the Columbarium at the Shrine of St. Therese on Friday, June 26, at 3 p.m.

Obituary: Karen G. Mitchell

Karen G. Mitchell, 77, of Juneau, Alaska, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

Obituary: Thomas Meyer

Tom Meyer, 83, died peacefully at his home in Juneau on May 24, 2026.

Obituary: Conor W. Eckholm (May 31, 1979 – April 29, 2026)

Conor W. Eckholm, 46, of South Lake Tahoe, California, passed away in his sleep on April 29, 2026.

Obituary: John Edward Katasse

On April 25, 2026, John Edward Katasse — Tléináx — passed away peacefully in his sleep, with his wife and dogs at his side, in his favorite chair at his home in Douglas, Alaska.

Obituary: Kean Dixon Nuttall

Kean Dixon Nuttall was born Aug. 8, 1978, and left us on May 18, 2026.

Obituary: Caroline Ann McAlister Gullufsen (Dec. 7, 1919 – Dec. 1, 2025)

Caroline Ann (McAlister) Gullufsen passed away in Menifee, California, on Dec. 1, 2025, six days before her 106th birthday.

Obituary: Daniel James Hopson

Daniel James Hopson died on April 9, 2026, at the age of 80.

Obituary: Jane Nelson MacKinnon

Surrounded by her family, Jane Nelson MacKinnon, age 102 years, died in Juneau on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Juneau Pioneers Home where she had resided for eight years. Jane continued a legacy of longevity established with her mother and her grandmother who both lived to be over 100 years of age.

Obituary: John A. Walsh (Feb. 24, 1967 – Feb. 22, 2026)

John A. Walsh, a longtime Juneau resident, died Feb. 22, 2026.

Obituary: Ryan Patrick Ward

With deep love, we remember Ryan, a devoted father, son, brother, and friend. Ryan’s path had its challenges, but his heart was unfailingly kind.

Obituary: Joan Franceska Wahto

Joan Franceska Wahto entered this world breech first — her twin arriving just moments before her, an entrance that foretold the extraordinary strength and vibrant spirit she would share with everyone around her.

Obituary: John Kibbons (July 4, 1942 – April 24, 2026)

John Kibbons, 83, of Juneau and Lemesurier Island, Alaska, took his last breath on April 24, 2026. He left this world peacefully, with good friends at his side.

Death Notice: Jirdes Winther Baxter

A Celebration of Life honoring Jirdes Winther Baxter, who passed away on Jan. 5, 2026, at the age of 101, will be held on May 9 at 2 p.m. at Chapel by the Lake.

Obituary: Wells Weston Paul

Wells Weston Paul was born May 6, 2025, and unexpectedly passed away in his sleep on Sept. 26, 2025.

Obituary: Bea Rounsley

Bea Rounsley, a longtime Juneau resident, died Dec. 29, 2025. Bea Rounsley Bea was born in Tacoma on Dec. 9, 1924, to Alfred and Hertha (Metke) Perry. The family lost their home during the Great Depression and moved to Gig Harbor, living in a tent as they built their new home over time. At Gig Harbor High School, Bea played saxophone in the band. After graduation, she worked at the Bremerton Navy Yard during World War II. She met her future husband Wally when they were both

Obituary: William Francis Suss

Memorial services for William Francis Suss will be held Saturday, April 25 at 1 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 9055 Atlin Drive, Juneau, Alaska, 99801. A reception will follow at 3170 Noel Ave in Juneau.

Death Notice: Sheila Wray

A celebration of life for Sheila Wray is scheduled from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at Spice Juneau Indian Cuisine in downtown Juneau.

Obituary: Early Morning Riley

Early Morning Riley, 54, passed away on Feb. 5, 2026, in Juneau, Alaska.

Obituary: Daisy Davenport (3/14/1942 — 12/31/2025)

Longtime Juneauite, Daisy Johanna Davenport, passed away Dec. 31, 2025, peacefully in Juneau, Alaska, with her family by her side.

Obituary: Gordon Evans

Gordon Evans passed away on the 67th anniversary of Alaska Statehood, Jan. 3, 2026. A celebration of life will be held at the Hangar Ballroom (formerly Yancy Derringer's) from 2-5 pm on Monday, March 30.

Obituary: Jeffery Lee Robertson (1947-2026)

Jeffery Lee Robertson (formerly Jeff Rounds) passed away in his Los Angeles cottage home, on the morning of Feb. 7, 2026, at the age of 79, following several years in decline with Alzheimer’s.

Obituary: Roy Alan Box

Roy Alan Box was born Feb. 2, 1935, in Wallace, Idaho, to Ralph Box and Bessie (Thompson) Box, and grew up in Wallace and Chehalis, Washington.

Obituary: David Marshall Brook (1946 - 2026)

David Brook died on February 7, 2026, of complications from pulmonary fibrosis at age 79.

Obituary: Theodore (Chip) Thoma

Theodore (Chip) Thoma, 77, passed away Sept. 29, 2025, at Wildflower Court after a long illness and an extraordinary, joyfully mischievous life of rebellion.

Obituary: Milton A Brown III

Former Juneau resident Milton A. Brown, III, 66, passed away after an illness in Palm Springs, CA, on Feb. 11, 2025.

Obituary: Andrew James Markovich

Andrew James Markovich, age 57, of Juneau, Alaska, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, at his residence.

Obituary: Kenneth William Coate

Kenneth William Coate died on Jan. 25, 2026, in Lacey, Washington.

Obituary: Dr. carolyn Virden Brown

Dr. carolyn Virden Brown of Juneau passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, at the Anchorage Pioneer Home. She was predeceased nine years earlier by her husband of 52 years, Dr. George W. Brown.

Obituary: Ronald Berg

Longtime Juneau resident Ronald Berg, 80, passed away Dec. 13, 2025, while living at home.

Obituary: Layla Lynn Perrin

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Layla Lynn Perrin on Jan. 13, 2026. At just 22 years old, Layla left this world far too soon, leaving behind a space that cannot be filled and a huge ache in the hearts of those that loved, and continue to love her. She was a bright, smart, and deeply witty soul — someone whose humor could sneak up on you and whose insight often surprised people in the best way. Layla Lynn Perrin Layla spent the first 12 years of

Kendall B. Crocker: Nov. 30, 1946 - Jan. 15, 2026

Kendall B. Crocker ("Ken") set sail on his final voyage at home in Sebastian, Florida, with his wife, Susan, by his side, on Jan. 15, 2026, at the age of 79.

Obituary: Richard B. ‘Rick’ Lauber, March 6, 1928 – Sept. 6, 2025

Richard B. “Rick” Lauber, 97, of Juneau, Alaska, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2025. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Rick dedicated his life to public service and the maritime industries that define Alaska.

Obituary: Jirdes Winther Baxter

Jirdes Winther Baxter, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, died Monday, January 5, 2026, at Bartlett Regional Hospital. A lifelong Alaskan and longtime Juneau resident, she was 101.

Obituary: Karen Taft ‘Taffy’ Wells

Karen Taft “Taffy” Wells passed away peacefully at age 74 on Dec. 5, 2025, at her home in Portland, Oregon, after a two-year cancer journey.

Death notice: Gordon Evans

Gordon Evans, a longtime Juneau attorney, former member of the University of Alaska's Board of Regents, and supporter of the Juneau Bar Association, passed away peacefully on Jan. 4, 2026.

Obituary: Stanley Allen Moberly

Stanley Allen Moberly, 84, passed away peacefully in Tucson, Arizona, on Dec. 6, 2025, with family surrounding.

Obituary: Steven Robert Lewis Sr.

Steven Robert Lewis Sr., 74, passed away on November 18, 2025, in Seattle, after a very recent diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Obituary: Betty Lou Elam McVey

Betty McVey was raised on a farm in Caldwell County, Missouri. She died at age 92 in the Juneau Pioneers’ Home on Aug. 30, 2025, a few days after a debilitating stroke.

Obituary: Shirley Jean Andersen

Shirley Jean Andersen, a 25-year resident of Port Ludlow, died peacefully on Oct. 20, 2025, at the Liberty Shore Retirement Community in Poulsbo, Washington, after a long bout with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Obituary: Wilhelmine Jean Larsen

Longtime Juneau resident Wilhelmine Jean Larsen (95) peacefully departed her earthly journey on Nov. 12, 2025, at the Juneau Pioneers’ Home with family by her side.

Obituary: William (Bill) Searls, 84

Longtime Juneau resident William (Bill) Searls, 84, passed away peacefully at home on November 8.

Obituary: Andrew Dean Massey, 68

Andrew Dean Massey was born on July 18, 1957, in Petersburg, Alaska, to Mildred and Clarence (Jack) Massey.

Obituary: Jack Whitman 1955-2025

Almost 70 years ago, an extraordinary person was born on this planet. We called him Jack Whitman, though he was known by many other monikers acquired from some humorous foray he was involved in. He left us on Oct. 3, no doubt looking for another adventure with some four-legged furry friend of old in some off-the-map place and a good fishing hole in which to plunk a worm.

Obituary: Dr. David B. Robinson

Dr. David B. Robinson passed away quietly at home after a long battle with cancer.

Death notice: Richard Juan Garrison

Richard Juan Garrison, born Nov. 27, 1943, passed away peacefully Aug. 18, 2025, in Spokane from a short illness. He was a contractor for the Coast Guard in Juneau and Lower 48. He will be missed greatly by his friends and family.

Obituary: Pete Carran, longtime Juneau broadcaster

Long-time Juneau journalist and broadcaster Pete Carran passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. He was 77 years of age.

Obituary: T. Kelly Corrigan (Oct. 25, 1947 – Sept. 4, 2025)

Kelly Corrigan passed on September 4, 2025. Kelly was born on October 25, 1947, in Fargo, North Dakota to Mark and Gloria Corrigan. He was the eldest of six children.

Obituary: VeNita Ellen Orcutt

VeNita Ellen Orcutt, 57, walked into the forest on September 26, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. She was born in Ketchikan to Clyde “Snapper” Orcutt and Julia Colcord (Fawcett), but made her home in Juneau with her children.

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Juneau Independent