Joseph Charles Clinton

DEERFIELD - Joseph Charles Clinton, 84, Deerfield, died Thursday, June 17, 2010, at Rapid City Regional Hospital, Auxiliary Hospice House after a short battle with cancer. Joe was born June 4, 1926, in Rapid City to Nellie (Kindler) and Charles Clinton of Hill City. He attended the Slate Creek Country School through eighth grade, one year at Cathedral High School in Rapid City and graduated from Hill City High School in 1944. Joe then enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served overseas, spending time in Germany during the end of WWII, and was honorably discharged in 1946. He then studied refrigeration at Emily Griffith Trade School in Denver for one year. He then returned to the family ranch where he lived and worked for the remainder of his life. He married Norma Ellen Dyer, July 7, 1973, in a beautiful and meaningful Nuptial Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral in Reno, Nev. Joe was a member of the American Legion Post 160 in Hill City and served on the Forest Advisory Board, Pennington County Extension Board, Pennington County Weed and Pest Board, 18 years on the West Dakota Water Development District Board, and 25 years on the board of directors of the Black Hills Electric Cooperative. He was a true steward of the land, dedicated citizen, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Joe enjoyed ranching, hunting, watching his grandsons grow, and Hill City High School basketball. A lifetime member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church where he was an usher for 60 years, Joe was a man of high integrity, loyalty, and high morals. His Irish sense of humor persisted until the last few days of his life. Survivors include his wife, Norma, Rapid City; two sons, George, Deerfield, and Paul (Sara), Aurora, Colo.; two grandsons, Joseph and John, Aurora; a brother, Gerald Clinton, Rapid City; and a sister, Patricia Gordley, Fort Morgan, Colo. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, John Clinton; and one sister, Mary Pond. The family truly appreciates the excellent care Joe received while he was in the hospital and hospice. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. Christian wake service Sunday, June 20, at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City. Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Monday, June 21, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hill City, with the Rev. Andrzej Wyrostek presiding. Burial, with military honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post 1273 Honor Guard and the South Dakota National Guard, will be at the Hill City Cemetery. Memorials have been established for St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and the Cory Ginsbach Memorial Scholarship Fund. Friends may sign his online guestbook at www.osheimschmidt.com.