Custer County Chronicle

Robert Meakim

Published by admin on Thu, 02/17/2022 - 9:24am

Robert Francis Meakim was born Dec. 30, 1943, in Evergreen Park, Ill. He graduated from Mt. Carmel High in 1961, where he then trained to become an electrician.
He married Patricia Susnis Sept. 25, 1965, and the they had three children—Christine, John and Robert.
After a family vacation to Colorado, Robert and Patricia fell in love with the state and moved the family there in 1973. They built their own home and raised their family there until both Robert and Patricia retired in 1999.

Reneeann Kewley

Published by admin on Thu, 02/17/2022 - 9:24am

Reneeann C. Kewley was born Sept. 12, 1947 in Pine Ridge, S.D.
As a small child Renee grew up on and off the reservation before finally settling in Custer, S.D., with her mother, Freda. Renee attended Custer public schools before going off to boarding school and eventually graduating from OCS in Pine Ridge.
After graduating Renee moved to California to attend cosmetology school. To help make ends meet she also worked as an aide at a local nursing home.

Douglas Majewski

Published by admin on Thu, 02/17/2022 - 9:23am

Douglas Majewski was born Sept. 27, 1948, in N.J., to Henry and Kathryn Majewski.
Doug loved to live as a free spirit, riding his motorcycle and partying with friends until the end. Doug cherished the years he spent living in Custer, S.D., where he owned a saw mill and a gold mine, worked on Crazy Horse Memorial, tended bar and wrote and played music—his lifelong passion.
The songs he wrote over his lifetime, like “New Jersey Cowboy” and “Pocket Full of Viagra” would often reflect his humor, which could be infectious.

Robert Stewart

Published by admin on Thu, 02/17/2022 - 9:22am

Robert “Bob” Holloway Stewart was born Feb. 6, 1947, in Miles City, Mont., to Robert and Louise (Holloway) Stewart.
Bob graduated from Rapid City (S.D.) High School in 1965. He then  went to the  South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, and proceeded to enlist in the Navy. He spent  the next four years proudly serving his country.
Bob was a man who enjoyed fishing, hunting, going to the rodeo, riding dirt bikes and exploring the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Sandra Johnson

Published by admin on Thu, 02/10/2022 - 9:27am

Sandra Ellen Johnson was born June 20, 1941, in Oakland, Calif., to Colin C. Gibson and Beatrice M. Fraser (Gibson).
She was a graduate, with honors from Anna Heads Girls School in Berkeley, Calif., where she was class president of several grades one through 12.
She was very active in many theatrical and educational forums and entered the University of California at Berkeley with several advanced credits. At Berkeley she met the love of her life, Terry Johnson, and they married Jan. 26, 1961.

Berniece Mahan

Published by admin on Thu, 02/10/2022 - 9:27am

Berniece Mahan was born Feb. 1, 1944, in Deadwood, S.D., to Clarence and Lily (Scruggs) Raschka.  
Berniece, of Custer, S.D., passed away Jan. 29, 2022, at her residence in Custer. She was 77.
She was preceeded in death by her parents; her son, Brian; and her daughter, Teddi.
Berniece is survived by her daughter, Fawne Plummer of Carrollton, Texas; son-in-law, Dan Essink of Deadwood, S.D.; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Services will be held in the spring.

Florence Ellerton

Published by admin on Thu, 02/03/2022 - 9:21am

Florence Grace Ellerton was born May 17, 1921, in Marion, S.D., to Rudolph and Tillie Graber.  
Florence married Claire “Shorty” Ellerton Dec.27, 1946, in the Salem-Zion Church in Freeman S.D. They ranched near Holabird, S.D., until 1954, when they moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota where they lived in Custer State Park. In 1977 they moved to Custer, S.D.  
In 1995, she moved to Hermosa, S.D., where she lived until 2012, when she entered Wedgwood Assisted Living.

Sally Buchan

Published by admin on Thu, 02/03/2022 - 9:21am

Sally Buchan was born Jan. 7, 1944, in Iowa to Ed and Ella Warnke.
Sally enjoyed 59 years of marriage with her husband, Larry.  Her career spanned over 33 years as a Certified Nursing Assistant and restorative aide, working at the former Custer State Hospital and Colonial Manor in Custer.
Sally had a love for all animals, but was particularly fond of her Maine Coon Cat, Mister Deeds. Her favorite things included reading, shopping days with Lori and Jakki and being a grandma.

Annamae Blume

Published by admin on Thu, 02/03/2022 - 9:20am

Annamae (Schoenfelder) Blume was born in Chamberlain, S.D., in 1948, to Catharine and Francis Schoenfelder, the third of eight children.
She earned a degree in sociology at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D., and was a social worker in Lake Andes and Lead, S.D. She helped many families and children and touched many lives throughout her career.  
After her retirement in 2011 she moved back to Custer, S.D., to spend time with the greatest joys in her life, her grandchildren, Connor and Reghan.  Being a Grammy was her favorite thing in life.

Cal Perkins

Published by admin on Thu, 02/03/2022 - 9:20am

Cal Perkins as he preferred to be called, was born in Pecos, Texas, July 16, 1942, to William Dallas and Mary Lee Perkins.
He contracted polio as a toddler and the family moved to Ft. Worth, Texas, to be near a specialty hospital where his mother worked as an RN. Cal overcame the polio and went on to lead a full life.