FIFTH OPENING – The Sitka seine boats Hukilau and Rose Lee pump herring aboard this afternoon at the end of Deep Inlet during the fifth opening in the Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery. The opening was being held in two locations beginning at 11 a.m. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
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By Sentinel Staff
The Sitka Sound commercial herring sac roe fishery continued today with open [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
After storming into the state 3A boys basketball brac [ ... ]
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The Queen Bees’ spotless season record ended Tuesday night with a 2-1 loss [ ... ]
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Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
March 26
At 2:10 p.m. a man e [ ... ]
Big Rigs Sought
For April 13
The 3 to 5 Preschool’s spring fundraiser and Big Rig event is happening [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
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By Sentinel Staff
The third opening in this year’s Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery was held Mon [ ... ]
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Sentinel Sports Editor
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By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel ports Editor
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Playing in a competitive division City League volleyball game Monday evening [ ... ]
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Northern Journal
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Alaska Beacon
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By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
In the language of the Gwich’in people of northeastern Alaska, [ ... ]
Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
March 25
At 7:48 a.m. a calle [ ... ]
Vietnam-Era Vets
Invited to Lunch,
Commemoration
American Legion Post 13 will host a luncheon 1-3 p.m. [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
The 2024 Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery got under [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Assembly will start the annual process of determi [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
Competing in the 3A state championship title basketball game Saturday, the M [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
Playing through the afternoon Sunday, City League volleyball teams faced off [ ... ]
Daily Sitka Sentinel
Willis Leroy Donnally, Former Sitkan, Mourned
Willis Leroy Donnally
Former Sitkan Willis Leroy Donnally went to be home with the Lord on July 3, 2019, just 12 days before his 83rd birthday. A resident of Delta Junction, he was in Fairbanks at the time of his passing.
He was born July 15, 1936, in Everett, Washington. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1956, served two terms, and had an honorable discharge after nine years of serving his country.
He moved to Sitka in 1967 with his wife Claudia and four children, Jody, Katy, Pat and Erin. While in Sitka, he ran his own commercial fishing boat, and together with his wife operated a fish processing plant, Claudia’s Fisheries.
In 2005, he moved to Delta Junction, into a beautiful log cabin, built by himself, family, and friends. He resided there until he went home to be with the Lord.
“Those who knew our Dad/Grandpa/Uncle knew that he was a one of a kind special character,” his family said. “He not only enjoyed fishing immensely, but more so the telling of a few pretty big fish stories along the way.”
He loved to go moose hunting and fishing with his favorite partner, his son, Pat.
He enjoyed conversation and meeting new people and offered a warm welcome to those he met.
He celebrated his most favorite holiday, St. Patrick’s Day, with family, having a corned beef & cabbage dinner enjoyed by all. At Christmas time he always took pleasure in his tradition of reading his family “The Legend of the Candy Cane” story.
“Dad was a loving man who will be very much missed,” his family said.
He was preceded by his father, Harvey Andrew Donnally, mother, Earna Cheldelin, and stepfather, George Cheldelin.
He is survived by his former wife, Claudia, of Sitka; daughter Jody Grall and husband Doug of Edmonds, Washington, daughter Katy Rouse and husband John of Sitka, son Pat Donnally and wife Dee of Delta Junction, and daughter Erin Hansen and husband John of Sitka.
His grandchildren are Dale Lindstrom and wife Paula, Jenny Metlicka and husband Scott, Jr. Lindstrom, Kori Lindstrom, Haley LaDuke and husband Jake, and Lee Burkhart.
His great-grandchildren are Shaylene, Kali, Bubba and Emily Metlicka. Reyana, Kiyara, Robert, Sydney, Ashton Lindstrom. Landon and Sawyer LaDuke. He also is survived by his numerous nieces and nephews of Washington.
He loved all his family dearly.
A celebration of life and a fishing adventure will take place with family next July 2020 in Delta Junction.
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20 YEARS AGO
March 2004
Matthew C. Hunter of Sitka recently returned from Cuba as part of a St. Olaf College International and Off-Campus Studies program. Hunter, a junior physics major at St. Olaf College, is the son of Robert and Kim Hunter of Sitka.
50 YEARS AGO
March 1974
Eighth graders have returned from a visit to Juneau to see the Legislature. They had worked for it since Christmas vacation ... Clarice Johnson’s idea of a “White Elephant” sales was chosen as the best money-maker; Joe Roth won the political cartoon assignment; highest government test scorers were Ken Armstrong, Joanna Hearn, Linda Montgomery, Lisa Henry, Calvin Taylor and David Licari .....