June C. Champlin

1944 - 2024

Our loving mother, June C. Champlin, passed away Jan. 14, 2024, after a lengthy battle against cancer. She fought with her characteristic conscientiousness, strategy and wry sense of humor which we, her children, were privileged to witness up to the very end.

She led a full and adventurous life that began Feb. 6, 1944, in the Fairbanks, Alaska, territory as she was born here prior to statehood.

She, her brother and parents were active in many organizations over the years especially Scouting. They enjoyed camping, fishing, canoeing, bicycling, road trips and entertaining guests. She maintained life-long friendships with many of her childhood friends.

June met and married Ken Champlin while both were working summer jobs at Wein Air Alaska. After they both graduated from Oregan State University, they moved to New Mexico where all three of their children were born. In 1984 they moved back to Fairbanks where June's mother, Magdalene Cassady, still lived. All three of June's children graduated from Lathrop High School and were Malemutes, like their mom.

In 1986 June embarked on her journey as an amazing independent single woman. She worked at the University of Alaska Fairbanks where she loved assisting her graduate students, co-workers and professors in the Department of Geology and Geophysics during her 20-year career. She was also very active in First Presbyterian Church, holding many different positions there over the years. Upon her retirement from UAF, she embarked on her world travels seeing England, Ireland, Madeira, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Hawaii, The Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica, Mexico and Ecuador to name some, but not all, of the places she traveled.

She leaves behind her children (Diane Martin, Owen and Tawnya Champlin, Loren and John Haddix) as well as her grandchildren (Isaac, Samuel and Jacob Martin, and Anthony, Malina and Jessika Merril) and great-grandchildren (Elizabeth and Rebeckah Merrill-Hunter, and Abraham, Shaielle and Thessa Martin) as well as many friends and colleagues. We miss her greatly! A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. May 31 at First Presbyterian Church, 547 Seventh Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made securely online to arborday.org.