John Bernard Cherven, Jr.

John Bernard Cherven, Jr., age 77, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2024 due to complications from a stroke.

John was born on October 28, 1946 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Marcyle (Green) Woodard and John B. Cherven, Sr. He graduated from Wilmot High School in Wisconsin in 1964. In 1966, John enlisted in the Marine Corp and served for two years. He then worked at Great Lakes Naval Station as a heavy equipment operator. He also earned his commercial pilot’s license during that time.

John moved to Anchorage in 1983 and managed the Long Branch Saloon for 10 years. After it sold, he worked again as a heavy equipment operator for various companies and was a member of Local 302.

John enjoyed a variety of interests including traveling and camping in his Airstream motor home, repairing and restoring cars and trail bikes, playing golf and target shooting.

John was preceded in death by his father John B. Cherven Sr., Eunice Cherven (stepmother). He is survived by his wife Rose Marie “Rosie” (Moore) Cherven, his mother Marcyle Woodard of Ft. Worth, Texas; his two sons John Cherven (Jocylyn) and Michael Cherven of Colorado, his granddaughter Hannah, his brother Richard Cherven (Dorothy) and niece Morgan, his stepsons Jason and Matthew Pawluk (Renata) and granddaughters, Julia and Luciana Pawluk.

A funeral mass will be held on Monday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Rev. Dennis Goth presiding.  Burial to follow at St. John’s Cemetery. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is in charge of the local arrangements. 

Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Alaska or the Wounded Warriors Project.

Thank you to all of the doctors, nurses, and aides who helped John during the last few years.