Homer resident Mr. Josiah James Tholberg, 29, died Thursday afternoon, Jan. 21, 2010, after a tragic accident at the job he loved.

A visitation is 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, at Peninsula Memorial Chapel, 5839 Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai. Funeral services are at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at the Carol Bock Hall in the Ninilchik Fair Grounds in Ninilchik. Graveside services will follow the funeral services at the Ninichik Cemetery. A gathering will follow at the Inlet View Bar in Ninilchik.

Mr. Tholberg was an equipment operator and mechanic for East Road Services in Homer. Joey was welding on a loader bucket when it rolled on to him and took his life. Co-workers and EMS tried to revive him, but his injuries were too severe. Joey had recently moved to Homer and was quick to make many friends, including his wife.

Mr. Tholberg was born March 7, 1980, in Redmond, Ore. He was a friend to many throughout Alaska and Oregon. Joey was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding dirt bikes and snowmachines. Joey loved tearing into engines, getting dirty and drinking cold beer. Growing up in a small town like Ninilchik, Joey touched many lives. He was someone you could always count on for advice, from the seasoned local to the passerby; Joey was always willing to lend a helping hand.

"You may have never met Joey, but chances are if you were a resident of the greater Oil Well Road region of Ninilichik, at some point you most likely heard the mighty roar of Joey's snowmachine or motorcycle rev by. Joey's personality was much the same, a giant roar for those that crossed him, a gentle whisper for those who loved him and an even more humble word for those he felt he had wronged. His laugh was infectious, as was his smile. Joey was known for his antics and his sense of humor; he was a joy to be around. Joey's last months in his life were filled with peace, with a newlywed wife, a child on the way, and a sense of love from all who surrounded him," his family said.

Joey is survived by his wife Becky Tholberg and their unborn child; his sisters, Jennifer Wardas, Alexis Lambert and Kassandra Statorrd; his brother, Andrew Tholberg; his stepmother, Linda Tholberg; his parents, Susan Quick and Douglas Tholberg, and countless others that were a part of his life.

His wife wrote, "One blink, one instant and you were gone — too fast, too soon, too much for me to bear. Never again will you walk through our door. You are gone from this life, but you will never be gone from our hearts, every piece. God rest your soul, dear Josiah, you will be missed."

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Joey to Becky Brewer Tholberg at any Alaska USA Federal Credit Union.

Arrangements were made by Homer Funeral Home.