Charles Ferris

1932 - 2024

Charles "Chuck" Blaine Ferris of Deadwood SD passed away on Sunday February 4, 2024. Charles was the fifth of six children, born to Charles and Carrie (Rostern) Ferris in Hitchcock SD on September 16, 1932. He moved to Deadwood SD, with his family, when he was 14 years old. Only having finished the 8th grade, he returned to school years later and received his GED while working and raising his family of eight children.

Charles married Winifred Renner on November 15, 1959, sharing 64 years of devotion to each other and their family. Charles, living in Deadwood, and Winifred living in Englewood SD, didn't know each other, but started writing as pen pals, through an acquaintance, while Charles was serving in the Korean War, as a gunners mate, with the United States Navy. They remained pen pals for nine years until Charles got his courage up to meet Winifred, who by that time had moved out to Glenrock, WY with her family. With stamps, phone calls and gas prices increasing, the next logical step was marriage. The young couple moved to Deadwood and started their family.

In the early years of their marriage, Charles worked at Fish & Hunter and Montgomery Wards. Having a large family to raise, Charles always worked numerous jobs to provide for his family. His permanent part time positions included working at the Franklin Hotel doing maintenance, as well as running a cleaning and painting business started by he and Winifred. His full-time position was with the Ft Meade Veterans Administration for over 30 yrs. First working as a nursing assistant and later moving to a position he loved, as a painter, in the maintenance department.

Charles also served his community as a volunteer fireman and later Fire Chief from 1967-1968. Due to conflicting schedules with his VA career, Charles had to give up his position with the fire department.

If he had any spare time, Charles enjoyed bowling and fishing.

Charles is survived by his wife, Winifred of Deadwood, daughter, Wyota Owens (Don) of Spearfish SD; son, Richard Ferris of Moorcroft WY; daughter, Mary McKillip (Kim) of Douglas WY; daughter, Vickie DeVries (Tim) of Glenrock WY; son, Daniel Ferris (Gwen) of Gillette WY; son, John Ferris (Robyn) of Douglas WY; daughter, Charlene Eggers (Tim) of Lead SD; He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren and counting. As well as his sister, Margaret Latuseck of Tilford SD, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Carrie Ferris, four siblings, his son, Stephen Ferris; granddaughter, Kimberly Ferris; and great-grandson, Liam Jones.

Services will be held on February 16th at Trinity United Methodist Church, 111 S Main Street Lead, SD at 10:00 AM. A luncheon will follow next door in the Christian Ministry Center. Full Military Honors will be given starting at 1:30 PM that day at National Cemetery.