Jerald 'Jerry' Francis Tifft

January 02, 2007


Jerald "Jerry" Francis Tifft, 63, Newell, died Thursday Dec. 28, 2006 at his residence following a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.
Funeral services were held Tuesday Jan. 2, 2007 at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Mr. Jim Chafee officiating. Burial follows at the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.
Memorials have been established to the Hospice of the Northern Hills and to the Ronald McDonald House in Honor of his Grandson, Conner, who is battling Leukemia.
Jerry was born Dec. 13, 1943 at Rapid City, to Glenn Lathrop and Inez (Chafee) Tifft. He was raised at Union Center, S.D. where he developed his loved of ranching. On Oct. 2, 1965, Jerry married Janet Miller at Newell. Together they ranched for 20 years at Stoneville, S.D. To this marriage four children were born.
In 1985 he sold his ranch and went to work for the Meade County Highway Department as the bridge foreman. He worked until his retirement in 2005.
His infectious humor and love for life attracted numerous friends. His honesty and abundant willingness to always be there to help his family, neighbors and friends is a legacy that will be forever remembered by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife Janet, Newell; two sons, Vince (Collette) Tifft, Newell, Verl Tifft, Newell; two daughters, Velvaleah (John) Clauser, Spearfish, Vonda (Mike) Clausen, Newell; one sister, Twyla (Larry) Schraeder, Sturgis; one brother, Tom (Brenda) Tifft, Union Center; seven grandchildren, Chelsey, Kyle, Katelyn, Jacindah, John, Matt and Conner.
He was preceded in death by his parents.



©The Black Hills Pioneer, Newspapers, South Dakota, SD 2007
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Body of missing woman found
MARCIE YOUNG
myoung@charlotteobserver.com
Authorities in Burke County on Thursday found the body of a 75-year-old Morganton woman in a wooded area behind her mobile home -- two days after her family last spoke with her.

Veronica Hallyburton, who had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a pacemaker and was partially blind, hadn't been seen since Tuesday morning, according to a Burke County Sheriff's Office press release.

She was last seen when she wished her great-grandson goodbye as he headed to school after spending the night at her home, the release said.

Authorities said they found Hallyburton's body in the woods near her home Thursday afternoon and, because of her poor health, do not suspect foul play.

The family told authorities that Hallyburton had spoken with a daughter-in-law at about 10 a.m. Tuesday, according to the release.

The next afternoon, a neighbor found Hallyburton's dog, which generally stays inside the mobile home, with leaves and mud caked in its fur, authorities said.

The family told investigators that they found the door unlocked and slightly open when they brought the dog to Hallyburton's home but that her purse and cane were inside the house.