Obituaries

Elma DuChateau

Published by admin on Wed, 07/10/2024 - 9:48am

Elma DuChateau was born in Hot Springs, S.D., June 6, 1934, to Lawrence and Ebelina (Raske) Hiller.
In 1935, Elma and her family moved to a farm near Custer, S.D., where she attended country school as a child.  Except for a handful of years in other Black Hills communities, Custer remained her home.
Elma met Eugene (Gene) Hammer in 1948 at Custer High School (CHS) and they quickly became high school sweethearts.  After high school graduation Gene enlisted in the National Guard and was soon called to active duty.  

Sheryl Spooner

Published by admin on Wed, 07/10/2024 - 9:48am

Sheryl Lyn Spooner was born Aug. 17, 1981 in Custer County, S.D.
Sheryl attended school and graduated Custer (S.D.) High School, class of 1999.  She was very athletic and involved in several sports including wrestling, volleyball, basketball, softball and most recently she joined the Jefferson Rowing Team.  She made any athletic activity look easy and earned many awards and medals. She loved coaching youth teams.

Lyle Ronne

Published by admin on Wed, 07/10/2024 - 8:45am
Lyle M. Ronne was born June 20, 1941, in Canby, Minn., the son of Wilford and Stella Ronne. He died Monday, July 1, 2024, at the age of 83.
Private family services will be held. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family through rudesfuneralhome.com

Barbara Bertschinger

Published by admin on Wed, 07/10/2024 - 8:44am
Born on July 7, 1935, Barbara Bertschinger was a middle child—one of 10 children born to Margaret (Schneider) Schramm and Arthur B. Schramm.  
Barbara’s early years were spent on the family farm near Utica, S.D., not far from Yankton. Family, faith and education were prioritized by her parents.   Her mother, Margaret, had been a school teacher prior to her marriage, while her father, Art, was a highly respected successful farmer and businessman.

John Britton

Published by admin on Tue, 07/02/2024 - 11:30am

John Richard Britton was born in Lead, S.D., Jan. 14, 1928, to John Charles and Marion Henrietta (Pomeroy) Britton. He lived in southwestern South Dakota on various farms, working with family. At 14 he left home, went to Nebraska and worked with farmers and ranchers. He returned to his family before leaving after joining the U.S. Army. John was a WWII veteran, having served in occupied Japan during the reconstruction after the bombing.

Duane Meyer

Published by admin on Tue, 07/02/2024 - 11:30am

Duane E. Meyer was born Nov. 29, 1937, in Iowa to Elbren and Millie Meyer.  He proudly served in the U.S. Navy until his honorable discharge.
Duane, of Custer, S.D., passed away June 27, 2024, at his home in Custer, S.D. He was 86.
He was preceeded in death by his daughter, Lynettte Perkins.
Duane is survived by his wife, Patty of Custer; son, Todd Meyer; and his grandson, Matt Perkins.
Per Duane’s wishes, no services will be held.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer..

David Fiaoni

Published by admin on Tue, 07/02/2024 - 11:26am

David Ralph Fiaoni was born Dec. 15, 1927, in Chicago, Ill.  He proudly served in the Merchant Marines and the 82nd Airborne during WW II.   David retired from the Chicago Fire Department after 33 years of service.
David, of Hill City, S.D., passed away June 19, 2024.   He was 96.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Tina of Hill City; daughters, Annette (Ed) Bishop of Illinois, Karen Smoczkiewicz of Texas and Sharon Reeve of Louisiana;  11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Dianna Mullen

Published by admin on Wed, 06/26/2024 - 11:29am

Dianna Carrol Mullen was born June 19, 1948, to the late Robert Bailey and Dorothy Lawson Bailey.
Dianna was born at her grandparents’ home in Illinois and delivered by her grandma, Lawson, and her aunt, Opal. She was raised by Carl Casner Junior, whom she lovingly called daddy, and her mother Dorothy Casner.
On June 17, 1967, Dianna married Joe Mullen and they had 57 years of love and adventures. They raised their children in Ambia, Ind.
In 1996, they moved to Custer, S.D., where they have spent the last 28 years enjoying the many facets of the Black Hills.

Carl Palmer

Published by admin on Wed, 06/26/2024 - 11:28am

Carl Palmer was born July 20, 1959 in Sioux Falls, S.D., and spent the majority of his childhood in Arlington, S.D. He attended Arlington High School, and in 1976 enlisted into the Navy.

David Fiaoni

Published by admin on Wed, 06/26/2024 - 8:47am
David Ralph Fiaoni was born Dec. 15, 1927, in Chicago, Ill.  He proudly served in the Merchant Marines and the 82nd Airborne during WW II.   David retired from the Chicago Fire Department after 33 years of service.
David, of Hill City, S.D., passed away June 19, 2024.   He was 96. 
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Tina of Hill City; daughters, Annette (Ed) Bishop of Illinois, Karen Smoczkiewicz of Texas and Sharon Reeve of Louisiana;  11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.