Doris Burns, 80, of Vivian, S.D., died Wednesday, August 25, 2010, at the Golden Living Center Prairie Hills in Rapid City.

Services were held Monday, August 30, at the Vivian Lutheran Church.

Burial was in the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Doris was born on April 16, 1930, in Philip to Artie May and Soren Sorensen. She lived in Philip and graduated from Philip High School in 1948. She received her teaching certificate from Black Hills Teachers College and taught in the Philip area.

Helen Schone, age 86 of Wall, S.D., died Thursday, August 26, 2010, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Helen Marjorie Johnson was born July 15, 1924, in Sturgis, S.D., the fourth of five children born to Maurice and Tillie (Karrels) Johnson. The family farmed a section of land near Vale at Nine Mile. She attended a one room school near their farm for the first few years of school, then they boarded in town and attended St. Martin's Academy in Sturgis.

Deane Joyce, age 90 of Wall, S.D., died Wednesday, August 25, 2010, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Albert Deane Joyce was born in the Rapid City hospital on May 2, 1920, the son of Alfred and Clara Jessie (Bailey) Joyce. He grew up in New Underwood with nine other siblings.

Deane graduated from New Underwood High School in 1938. He served in the United States Army during World War II from 1940 to 1945. He traveled to England, France and Germany as a master sergeant.

Edward J. "Eddie" Kodet, Sr., age 95 of Belvidere, S.D., died August 29, 2010, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Edward J. Kodet, Sr. was born in Belvidere to Joseph Frank Kodet and Mary Francis Kodet on October 16, 1914. He was born in the farmhouse on the homestead of Joseph Kodet and as a child he became known as Eddie. Eddie and his two older sisters, Helen Larsen (born 1910) and Marie Dartt (born 1912), grew up happily together on the farm just outside of Belvidere. Eddie spent time in the same farmhouse until his death.

Henry "Hank" Pekron, age 84 of Milesville, S.D., died August 27, 2010, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Henry J. "Hank" Pekron was born October 28, 1925, on a farm near Grenville, S.D., the son of Joseph and Mary (Sichmeller) Pekron. He first moved to Haakon County in 1949.

Hank was drafted into the United States Army on October 20, 1950, and served in Korea during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on September 11, 1952, returned to the Milesville area, and began his life- long career and passion as a rancher.

Ernest C. Clarin, age 94, of Apple Valley, MN passed away on August 25, 2010.

Mr. Clarin grew up in the Philip and Quinn, South Dakota area.

Ernest is preceded in death by his wife, Jean; son, Stanley; and 12 brother and sisters. He is survived by his 2 daughters, Sandy(Bob) Nelson and Annette Raymond; 7 grandchildren, Kent(Stephanie), John(Charles), Todd(Sherry), Melissa, Keith(Lori), Kellie(Tim) and Richard(Heidi); 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Hilbert(Ardy); nieces, nephews and friends.

Glenn Hamm, age 87 of Wall, S.D., died Friday, August 20, 2010, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Glenn Howard Hamm was born February 3, 1923, the oldest of four children born to Jay and Ellabud (Wallace) Hamm. He was born and raised in rural Pennington County, S.D. He attended Tableland rural school and graduated from Interior High School in 1941. He was a rural mail carrier and worked on various ranches before entering the United States Army in March of 1943.

Dear Editor,

After the informative meeting, and talking to different people in the community, the fire district proposal for an operating opt-out is somewhat misleading.

In the past, the fire department was put together with community donations and support from a very dedicated bunch of people.

Is raising taxes to fund the fire district the only way?

by Del Bartels

Approximately nine miles dead west of Philip stands a stone obelisk that is so much a part of the history of area residents that it is often taken for granted.

The Silent Guide stone tower has stood as a marker for, first, shepards, then over the last century for all travelers. Built on top of Stone Man Hill in 1900 by W. S. Jones, the landmark was designated in 1950 as a U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey reference marker. High peaks on the horizon seen from the vantage point are many, many miles distant.

by Del Bartels

Approximately nine miles dead west of Philip stands a stone obelisk that is so much a part of the history of area residents that it is often taken for granted.

The Silent Guide stone tower has stood as a marker for, first, shepards, then over the last century for all travelers. Built on top of Stone Man Hill in 1900 by W. S. Jones, the landmark was designated in 1950 as a U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey reference marker. High peaks on the horizon seen from the vantage point are many, many miles distant.