Custer County Chronicle

Jean Davis

Published by admin on Thu, 08/26/2021 - 9:33am

Jean K. Davis was born in Springfield, Neb., Oct. 5, 1929.
Jean, a  former long time resident of Custer, S.D., passed away Aug. 17, 2021, in Medford, Ore. She was 91.
Jean was a Past Matron of Custer Friendship Chapter of Eastern Star and supported many charitable organizations.
She is survived by her daughter Susan (Davis) Cooper; husband, Sam; brother, Merle Kenaston; sisters, Kate Branham and Helen Allen; and many nieces and nephews.
She was well loved and will be missed by all.

William Boggs

Published by admin on Thu, 08/19/2021 - 8:50am

William “Billy” Boggs was born March 5, 1943, to Merle Boggs and Desyl (Dean) Boggs in Pringle, S.D.
While growing up, Billy worked at his family’s sawmill in Pringle. On Nov. 20, 1962, he married the love of his life, Sandra Simants. To this union five children were born. They moved their family to Nebraska where he worked for Nebraska Public Power. In the early 1970s they moved back to South Dakota where he worked in various gravel quarries and did the drilling and blasting on the Hot Springs Viaduct, then he became self-employed as a feldspar miner.

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.