Jerry Estes

JeraldDean S. “Jerry” Estes, age 82, of Custer, SD, died Sunday, September 20, 2015, at the Custer Regional Senior Center in Custer after a courageous battle with cancer.
Jerry was born on August 10, 1933, in Marion, NC, to Willie H. and Bonnie (Eplee) Stamey. She was followed by her brothers, Bill and Grover Cleveland (G.C.). She lived in Marion and moved with her family to Battle Creek, MI. Jerry served in the Air Force and after her honorable discharge, attended Mars Hill College and Watauga Teachers College. She married George E. Estes on June 29, 1955. They had three children, George, Jr. (Eddie), Diane and Susan. The family settled in Roanoke, VA, where Jerry ran her own business, The Ceramic Barn, for over 25 years. After retiring, she and George traveled the country in their motorhome during the summer months and spent their winters in Florida. After her husband passed, she moved to Custer, full time in 2008. She became involved and volunteered with the VFW/Women’s Auxiliary, the Custer Senior Center, and the Cold Springs Historical Society. She also put together activity bags for the children of veterans who came to the Hot Springs VA Hospital. She loved to play bingo at the Senior Center and would be there most Fridays and Saturdays. She would help with bingo at the Custer Regional Senior Center. She truly enjoyed living in the Black Hills with all its beauty and history and had a wonderful circle of good friends. She will be greatly missed.
Jerry is survived by her brother, Bill Stamey, Marion, NC; three children, Eddie (Marina) Estes of Spring Hill, TN, Diane (Keith) Mewes of Altamonte Springs, FL, and Susan (Frank) Swindal of Custer; seven grandchildren and a great grandchild.
Jerry was preceded in death by her loving husband George, her parents and her brother, G.C. A Celebration of Life hosted by her children will be held at the Custer VFW on Thursday, October 24, 2015, at 11:00 a.m.. We invite all her friends to join us for this remembrance.

John Bettelyoun

Narcisse Joseph “John” Bettelyoun, age 74, of Hot Springs, SD, passed away on September 21, 2015, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, SD.
John was born on January 12, 1941, in Pine Ridge, SD, to Dennis and Maizie (LaPointe) Bettelyoun. He spent his childhood in Martin, SD, on the family farm. John lived in Omaha, NE, for several years where he worked for Western Electric. He then worked as a Harness Race Horse Trainer in New Hampshire. After moving back to Martin he worked for the Federal Government in the Federal Housing Division for a few years then moved to Denver in 1977. John married Pat Ferguson in 1977, in Cripple Creek, CO, and they lived in Denver, Fort Collins, and Loveland, CO, where John worked as a commercial roofing foreman. In 1998, John and Pat moved back to Hot Springs where John has worked at the State Veterans Home for the last 17 years.
John was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved the outdoors through all the seasons. He especially enjoyed going back to his home place that he called “The Lodge”. John was a kind and gentle soul to all who crossed his path.
John is survived by his wife Patsy Bettelyoun of Hot Springs; daughters, Darcy (Bob) Aversman of Higginsville, MO; Francine Bettelyoun of Manchester, NH; stepsons, Randy (Cindy) Ferguson of Arvada, CO; Tim Ferguson of Hot Springs; step daughter, Sandy Ferguson of Greeley, CO; brothers, Linn Bettelyoun of Parkston, WA; sisters, Bonnie Bettelyoun of Rapid City; Wanda Cannon Sylvan Grove, KS; seven grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Maizie and Dennis Bettelyoun; 3 brothers, Marvin, Don and Dean.
Funeral services and a viewing were held September 28, 2015, at Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs with Pastor Edwin Cutler officiating.