Bernard Joseph Vaverka

April 28, 1929 – October 13, 1962

A requiem mass was held Aug. 12 at St. Anthony’s Catholic church in Anchorage, Alaska, for Bernard J. Vaverka, 34, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Vaverka, southeast of Perry.

The service was a memorial for Vaverka, who vanished last Oct 13 on a flight from Montague island to Anchorage. Vaverka had been on a weekend hunting trip with Leonard (Corky) Ivie.

Rev. Robert J. Whelan had charge of the mass.

Vaverka’s blue and white Piper Pacer disappeared in a heavy overcast after takeoff from McLeod harbor on the island. The pair were never seen again after that. Large searches failed to discover clues as to their whereabouts.

Vaverka, a foreman for the Alaska housing authority, was born April 28, 1929, at Hennessey.

His parents still have strong hopes he will be found alive somewhere in Alaska. Mrs. Vaverka lives in Eagle River, Alaska. She is the former Cordia Yeager.

Vaverka’s family also includes two brothers, Joe and Lawrence of the home southeast of Perry, and a sister, Miss Irene Vaverka, Oklahoma City.