Obituaries

Funeral services for Myrtle Mae (Pelton) Reiff, 95, of Avon will be held Wednesday, January 7 at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Avon. Burial is in the Tyndall Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Avon.

Gayland Duane Ashes, 60, of Alabaster AL, passed away at his home Sunday, December 28, 2025. He was born May 13, 1965, at Community Bailey Hospital, Chamberlain to Narcisse Roger 'Chuck' Ashes and Linda Jane Allen.

Native American Church funeral services for Marcus Sheilds, 'Waha Canka Hoksila,' 50, of Rapid City, were held Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the White Swan Community Center in Lake Andes. Burial was in the Native American Church Cemetery, rural Wagner.

Carole Lea Bartunek, 88, of Yankton, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025, surrounded by family. A devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many, Carole’s warmth and laughter touched all who knew her.

Visitation with a sharing of memories for Sharon (Ratzlaff) Jespersen, 81, of Freeman, will be held Saturday, January 3 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Friedensburg Bible Church, rural Avon. Burial is in the Friedensburg Cemetery. Peters Funeral Chapel in Avon is in charge of arrangements.

John DenOuden, 81, of Avon passed away at his home on Sunday, December 21, 2025 after an 18 year battle with cancer. John’s wishes were that no services will be held at this time. A Celebration of John’s Life will be held at a later date.

Daniel Ray Winckler, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, passed away on December 6, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, surrounded by family. He was 74 years old. Daniel was born on September 6, 1951, in Scotland to Alvin and Frances “Pat” Winckler.

Carole Lea Bartunek, 88, of Yankton, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025, surrounded by family. A devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many, Carole’s warmth and laughter touched all who knew her.

A wake service will be held Thursday, January 1, 2026 at the YST South Housing Gym at 7:00 p.m. There will be a Celebration of Alice’s Life at 1:00 p.m.

Marcus Shields, 50, of Rapid City, died Wednesday, December 17, 2025 in Rapid City. Native American Church funeral services will be 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 27 at the White Swan Community Center in Lake Andes. Burial is in the Native American Church Cemetery, rural Wagner.