SGT Charles Brown was a great friend that made everyone feel welcome. Whether you knew him as a family member, as a Soldier, or co-worker, all can agree that he was a friend.

Sergeant Charlie Brown enlisted into the active duty Marine Corp as a light armored vehicle mechanic. He served in the Marines from June 1987 to April 1993, in which time he deployed in support of operation Desert Storm, and was awarded the Marine Corp Achievement Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Navy Unit Commendation and Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon.

After a break in service, he joined the Texas Army National Guard in September 2010 into the 236 “Rawhide” Engineer Vertical Construction Company as an Army Plumber. He quickly established himself as a valuable member of the unit and participated in every Defense Support of Civil Authorities mission that the unit was assigned. His most notable accomplishments include his actions during Hurricane Harvey, where he and his Soldiers rescued over 70 people from the affected area, and drove over 700 miles to conduct high water fording operations. His actions saved countless lives and was instrumental in assisting state agency partners in accomplishing their mission as Texan’s Serving Texas.

SGT Brown joined the Corp of NonCommissioned officers on 14 March 2015 and was an outstanding representation of the “Backbone” of the Army. His passion and dedication to Soldier care and well being were consistently displayed. Every Soldier he contacted knew that he was a true servant leader that genuinely cared for his people.

SGT Brown’s military training includes master driver course, joint battlefield command post course, basic leader course and advanced leader course.

SGT Brown’s military awards from the Texas Army National Guard include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Adjutant Generals Individual Award, and numerous other service awards.

Mascha Aarden, Salinas, California, passed away on June 30-2020.

She was born on November 16, 1976 in Hellevoetsluis in the Netherlands, the daughter of Jaap Aarden and Riet van Dort, and younger sister of Linda Aarden.

Mascha, was a strong, tough, funny, sporty, straight forward person, who liked to stay in charge.

Mascha loved her Californian life, driving around in her convertible beetle with the dog in the back and stopping by spontaneously for a cup of coffee.
And the sailing days, and the roller derby were her favorite activities.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

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Juanita and Fernand Patin relocated from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Los Angeles, California. Pauline had five siblings; Babe, who died in childhood, Fernand, Jr. (aka Bub), Claire, Roland, and Grace and attended St. Lawrence Catholic School.

Pauline married Calvin Joseph Thierry on June 16, 1956 and the two immediately began their family that ultimately included Calvin, Jr. (Todd), Rosemarie, Dee, Timothy, Barbara, Kevin, Louis, and Jeffrey. Pauline’s gardening, cooking, baking, entertaining, and being a good neighbor, especially at the little house on Linnet, were her primary pastimes throughout this period.

Following Calvin’s death from cancer on January 27, 1991, Pauline moved to Sun City, California to live near her mother and siblings. So now, with some time to herself, she pursued her interests in history and politics through extensive reading and listened to a lot of music. On many occasions, Pauline was discovered dancing around her house with The Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, The Doors, and Tom Jones, among others, heard playing (loudly!) in the background. Sun City is also where she met Bob Knechtel. The two became close friends, walking/shopping/breakfasting partners, and fellow road trippers.

In 2015, a year after celebrating her 85th birthday, Pauline suffered from a fall, and her health slowly deteriorated. Prior to requiring around the clock care, the home of her youngest daughter Barbara and her husband Marshall (with whom she shared a dedication to televised sports), and their daughters, Justice and Olivia provided Pauline a home filled with warmth and family.

Pauline Marie Thierry will always be remembered for her infectious smile, positivity, kindness, loving nature, spirituality, and hospitality. Though a small, petite woman, her tremendous strength and immense heart are the legacy her children have gifted to their families and friends.

“Years, like waves, keep rolling on at times,
I've pulled myself free, been in love, danced, marveled,
sliced, burned and bled myself
trying to be me ”
~Alyx Francisco~

Mel died peacefully at his home at the age of 87.

He was born in McCook Nebraska to Frank and Bessie (Micek) Heble, and raised on the family wheat farm outside of Atwood Kansas. With his education beginning in a one-room schoolhouse, he later attended boarding school at St Joe’s Military Academy in Hays, and ultimately graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology from Kansas State University. Mel worked in both the petroleum (Conoco, Sinclair, ARCO, Energy Minerals) and commercial credit (Rocky Mountain News, Chemical Sales, Wells Fargo) businesses throughout his career, retiring in 1999.

On August 22, 1959 he married Sheila Ann French of Hanover Kansas. They raised two children, Mary Beth and Brian, while living in Topeka, Casper, and finally settling in Denver.

He enjoyed many activities, as long as it included being with friends and family. He loved the mountains and the outdoors, and many a summer weekend consisted of camping and fishing trips all over Colorado and Wyoming. Photography was a lifelong passion, and he enjoyed honing his skills with friends at the local camera club. He also enjoyed grilling and cooking, including recipes from his Czech heritage that he loved sharing.

Mel was active in the early days of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Northglenn, and later at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community in Arvada, where he served on parish council, education, building, and marriage ministry committees. Mel was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and the Westminster Elks where he made many friendships after retirement, particularly around the pool table.

Mel will best be remembered by his love of family, friends, and infectious laugh that he shared often. We will miss his smile, storytelling, and curiosity of the world around him.
A celebration of his life is being planned for mid-September when family and friends can safely gather. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Mel’s memory to a charity of your choice or to Laradon Hall (https://www.laradon.org).

We appreciate you visiting Dad’s memorial page, and sharing your memories and photos.

Linda Lorraine Barber, 79, of Anchorage, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 5, 2020 in Anchorage, Alaska at Iluminada’s Assisted Living Home surrounded by her family.

Linda was born in Polson, MT to Clarice and Lloyd McAllister on June 11, 1940. As the oldest of 6 children raised on a ranch, her upbringing shaped her to be tough, adventurous, nurturing, and resilient.

She married Arnold “Rusty” McConnell in 1955 and she found her calling in life as a Mother, raising her first four children with Rusty. As young parents they worked hard, lovingly raising their kids, and attending college at the University of Montana, focusing their efforts on Rusty's degree. They moved to Brookings Oregon in 1968 where they enjoyed living on the coast and created many fond memories. Later they returned to Montana, closer to their families again. When Rusty passed unexpectedly in 1972, Linda’s strength and dedication to her children saw her through. She worked hard and continued to lovingly raise her children. She began her 28-year career with the Social Security Administration in 1973.

In 1976 she married Richard “Dick” Barber and the following year they moved to the remote Alaskan village of Venetie. Here she taught “in a one room schoolhouse” and returned to her calling as a mother, welcoming two more children into her heart. Soon after they moved to Nome, Alaska and she again taught school, gold-panning in her free-time. She often shared memories of these early days in Alaska. In 1982 they returned to Montana, built a home in Evaro near their families and Linda returned to her career at SSA. In Evaro, MT Linda loved being surrounded by many of her children and grandchildren who she taught to ride horses, fish, and instilled in them a love for the outdoors. Her career brought her family on adventures to different states and she loved driving their “Ban” across the country many times.

Alaska called and they moved back in 1990, this time to Anchorage. It was the perfect place to enjoy her love of the outdoors. She was involved in the Moose Lodge and Salvation Army Fundraisers, developed close friendships and welcomed many to be a part of her family.

Linda enjoyed adventuring and making things with her own two hands. You could often find her camping, fishing, sewing, cooking, gardening, and crafting. She was artistic and was a perpetual nester with a knack for making anything homey. What she loved most was spending time with her family and dear friends, never missing an opportunity to feed people or stir up some fun.

She retired to Kasilof, AK with her husband Dick and spent years in her little slice of heaven welcoming family, friends, and anyone who found themselves nearby. She loved living in the woods again, gardening, entertaining guests, cooking, watching little ones run around her big yard and simply enjoying life with those she loved. A couple of years after Dick passed, she moved back to Anchorage, again doing what she loved most, being close to family.

Linda was a light of happiness, love, humility, contentment, altruism, compassion, and strength, she will be dearly missed.

In the near future, some of Linda’s ashes will be taken to the Kasilof River and later she will be laid to rest at the cemetery in Polson, MT with her family.

Donations can be made at www.michaeljfox.org, www.alzalaska.org, www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org, or www.scleroderma.org

The family wishes to extend our sincerest thank you to Lumin and the caregivers at Iluminada’s Assisted Living Home II, Care Coordinators of Alaska, and Providence Alaska Medical Center’s Hospice Clinic. Also, a special thank you to Kathryn Wheelehan.

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Linda is preceded in death by her husband, Arnold C. McConnell; her husband Richard E. Barber; son-in-law Glenn West; daughter-in-law Elsie McConnell; parents Clarice and Lloyd McAllister; brothers Vic, Danny, and Chip McAllister; nieces Crystal McAllister, Liberty Niemeyer; nephew Ty McKay;

Linda is survived by her children Deb West of Port Angeles, WA, Mike McConnell of Anchorage, AK with his significant other Edna, Barb Caballero of Kalama, WA with her spouse Art, Mitch McConnell of Montesano, WA with his spouse June, Brandi Barber and Megan Palagyi both of Anchorage, AK; sisters Sharon Simpson of Ronan, MT with spouse Bruce, and Cindy St. Clair-McAllister of Polson, MT

Her 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren
Aaron Johnson and daughter Emma, Brandon Johnson with his spouse Cheryl, Christopher Johnson with his spouse Paige and children Bella and Gavin. Robin McConnell with his fiancée Sierra and children Jasmine, Sage, and Atticus, SueAnn McConnell with her fiancé Ross and daughter Brynnley, Chad Michelleto and children Preston, Racquel, and Kaydence, Tara Struble with her spouse Wayne and daughter Branna, Jason McConnell and significant other Kristen, Curtis McConnell with spouse Shelese McConnell, Syanna Barber and significant other Quaid, granddaughter Tayla Palagyi

Her first and only great-great grandchild Easton (Preston), and arriving soon Lynden (Curtis)

Her sisters-in-law Lois McAllister and Marti Bauer

Her 7 Nieces and Nephews and 16 great-nieces and nephews
Russ McAllister with spouse Christy and children Garrett and Clay, Scott McAllister with spouse Tammy and children Claire, Elena, Nick, and Jack, Kelly McAllister with his spouse Tanya and sons Trevar, Trapper, Kane, and Koy, Heather Niemeyer with spouse Jesse and children Fisher, Kylee, and Nash, Ryan Pleninger with spouse Robin and children Paisley and Bode, Buck McAllister with spouse Jill and daughter Lexy, nephew Layne McKay

Also preceded in death and survived by many members of the McConnell and Barber families.

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***PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to share a message, memory, or photo you will first need to Register at the top of the web-page. You may also visit
http://linda-lorraine-barber.lastingmemories.com to share without registering.***

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