Custer County Chronicle

Chris Beesley

Published by admin on Thu, 08/19/2021 - 8:49am

Chris Beesley was born Nov. 5, 1954, in Mitchell, S.D., to George and Lila Beesley.  He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1973, and from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1981.
Soon after graduation he moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota, where he practiced as a deputy state’s attorney in Butte and Pennington counties.  He moved to Custer, S.D., in 1984, and started his private law practice.  He thoroughly enjoyed living and practicing law in his beloved city of Custer, providing services to his clients.

Arthur Martinez

Published by admin on Thu, 08/19/2021 - 8:49am

Arthur Jacob Martinez was born Oct. 8, 1940, in Colorado to Noverto and Perfecta (Trujillo) Martinez.
Arthur, of Custer, S.D., died Aug. 9, 2021, at his residence. He was 80.
He was preceded in death by his parents; nine siblings; and one daughter.
Arthur is survived by his wife, Lorrie of Custer; seven children; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great- grandchildren.
A Celebration of Arthur’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20 a Custer Senior Center.

Joyce Hughes

Published by admin on Thu, 08/12/2021 - 8:58am

Joyce Arlene (Augustine) Hughes was born Sept. 11, 1942, in Idaho. She was the daughter of Stanley and Hazel (Wilhelm) Augustine.  
At a young age Joyce moved with her family to Hill City, S.D., where her father worked on the Crazy Horse Memorial.
Joyce attended Hill City High School, where she enjoyed being a cheerleader. In 1959 she was united in marriage to Larry Hughes. To this union five children were born: Vickie, Linda, Debbie, Stanley and Mark.

Josephine Gray

Published by admin on Thu, 08/12/2021 - 8:58am

Josephine Ann (Duncan) Gray was born July 4, 1938, in Custer, S.D., to Dorothy (Parsons) Duncan and Harold Duncan.
Jospehine lived in Custer through her graduation from Custer High School as a member of the class of 1956.
She was a member of the Independent Christian Church and retired in 2003.
Josephine died July 12, 2021 at her daughter’s home in Wichita, Kan. She was 83.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ranny; sister, Jean; and daughter, Linda (Gray) Platt.

David Coppess

Published by admin on Thu, 08/12/2021 - 8:57am

David “Dave” Coppess was born July 10, 1938, in Sunfield, Mich., to George and Margaret (Sherwood) Coppess.
Dave proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and after his honorable discharge he married Kay LaVonne Darby in 1958.

Eric Shull

Published by admin on Thu, 08/05/2021 - 9:21am

Eric David Shull came into this world June 27, 1980, at 7:20 p.m. in Hot Springs, S.D. From the time he was big enough to climb onto his grandfather’s backhoe he was hooked. His first solo operation was at the age of 5, when he drove the backhoe from the back pasture in Custer, S.D., to the shop where his grandfather was waiting. He loved operating and working on all types of equipment.

Robert ‘Ski’ Kaliszewski

Published by admin on Thu, 07/29/2021 - 9:03am

Robert Stanley Kaliszewski, known simply as “Ski” to everyone, was born July 19, 1949, in Illinois and raised in Missouri. He joined the Air Force after graduating from Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. He was stationed in Minot N.D.,, Dover, Del., and finally Ellsworth AFB, S.D.  In 1979, he left the Air Force and became a full-time mechanic, advancing to manager of Kmart Auto in Rapid City, S.D., which led to opening his own shop in Custer.
Ski’s first wife, Sandy, went to be with Jesus in September 1992. The Lord brought Ski and Iris together and they married in 1994.

Susan Brown

Published by admin on Thu, 07/29/2021 - 9:02am

Susan Deann Brown was born Nov. 8, 1960, in Kalispell, Mont., to Byron and Lorraine Brown (Carr).  Susan was the fourth of six siblings along with Joe, Kevin, Sharrol, Wayne and Sheldon.  
Susan passed away Monday, July 19, 2021 at Teton Peaks Assisted Living Facility in Choteau. Mont. She was 60.
Susan’s final wish was for everyone she loves and throughout the world to “Always stay humble and kind.”
Condolences may be left online at gorderjensenfuneralhome.com.

Catherine Wahle

Published by admin on Thu, 07/22/2021 - 10:23am

Catherine Grace Wahle (Hall) was born Sept. 30, 1930, to Leon Earnest and Susan J. (Barr) Hall on their farm in Potter County near Gettysburg, S.D., where she grew up the youngest of nine children.
She attended the Kula County Grade School in Artichoke Township and Gettysburg High School. During her senior year and also after graduating she worked at the Potter County Register of Deeds where in those days all records had to be hand typed. She also was a part time secretary for Civil Air Patrol where her salary was airplane rides with her boss.

John ‘Frank’ Swindall III

Published by admin on Thu, 07/22/2021 - 10:22am

John “Frank” Swindal III was born Dec. 23, 1954, in Jacksonville, Fla., to Frank and Jean Swindal.   
Within a year of his birth they moved to Coral Gables, Fla., where he lived until he moved to Custer, S.D.
Growing up in Florida Frank enjoyed the outdoors, especially water sports, swimming, boating and fishing due to his closeness to the ocean. After high school he went on adventures in his VW bus. He then went on to manage the family whole furniture business with his brother, Ken for 25 years.