Deane M. Shilts, 86, passed away Sunday, December 29, 2013, from the ravages of Alzheimer's disease at the VA Medical Center Hospice Facility in Hot Springs, SD.

Deane M. Shilts was born October 18, 1927, in Pocatello, ID, to Bessie and Lawrence Shilts. An only child, Deane graduated from Fort Hall High School, ID, and attended Idaho State University, Pocatello. He worked at the Blackfoot Dam as Dam Keeper, for the Indian Irrigation Service, and with Post Engineers at the Pocatello Army Base before serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in the late 1940's. After his honorable discharge, he began his 34 year career with the U.S. government working at Salmon National Forest in Idaho as a fire lookout, fire fighter and packing mules to various fire lookouts, before taking a job with the National Park Service at Yellowstone National Park.

It was there that he met his future wife, Doris A. Stern. After his transfer to Everglades National Park, they were married in Homestead, FL, on October 9, 1953. They celebrated 60 years of marriage this year. Together they raised 3 girls, while Deane served 31 years as a National Park Ranger on the Blue Ridge National Parkway, in Virginia and North Carolina; Olympic National Park, Washington; Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado; and finally at Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota, where he retired with honor from his position from 1972 to 1983 as Chief of Visitor Protection and Resource Management.

After retirement, Deane ran his own consulting firm ("Fire Specialists, Inc.), specializing in controlled burns, from their newly built home in Pringle, SD. Deane was especially well educated in fire management after years of experience in forest and range management and as a life-long participant in forest fire fighting with the National Park Service and the National Forest Service. He helped implement several fire management programs in different parks and conservation districts. Prescribed burns, range, forest, and fire management were his passion throughout his life. In his later years, Deane also helped maintain Custer Cemetery and worked as a bus driver/tour guide with Golden Circle Tours in the Black Hills. Deane and Doris moved to Hot Springs in 2007 as his struggle with Alzheimer's became increasingly difficult.

Deane was a member of Kiwanis Club, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), the National Rifle Association, the Western Resource Conservation and Development Association, and the Society for Range Management. He was a very strong volunteer and member of the Black Hills Resource Conservation and Development Area from 1986 until 2004 and with the Soil Conservation Service Area. He acted as the Custer County Conservation District Supervisor in 1993.

Deane loved to fly fish, travel, and play card games. He was passionate about the many dogs the family owned throughout his lifetime. As long as he could in his later years, he never missed his daily walk with his beloved Springer Spaniel, Tia. He had an especially loving and close relationship with his wife. They were deeply in love and best friends until his passing. He attended the United Methodist Church in Pringle and loved to meet friends when he went for the mail for coffee and talk the day away. He always had a story to tell. Deane will be missed by many.

Deane is survived by his wife, Doris and their 3 girls: Lisa Leeper (John), of Socorro, NM; Julie Mohr (Clay), of Arnold, NE, and Becky Aragon (Danny), of Knoxville, TN; 6 grandchildren: Anna Rodriguez (Leo), of Greenville, SC, Kari Rivers (Jeremy) of Knoxville, TN; Evan Mohr (Bridgette), of Hershey, NE, Garret Mohr of Salt Lake City, UT; Thomas Leeper and Vincent Leeper of Socorro, NM; 5 great grandchildren: Vivian, Genevieve, and Vincent Mohr (Evan); Gracie and Riley Rivers (Kari).

The family is greatly appreciative of the care and kindness provided by the staff of both Fall River Hospital and Hot Springs VA Medical Center.

A memorial service to celebrate Deane's life will be held at the United Methodist Church, Pringle, SD, on Friday, January 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Pastor Tom Peacock. An inurnment service will be held at a later date at the Custer Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, it is Deane's wish that memorials be directed to the United Methodist Church, Pringle, SD, and the Battle Mountain Humane Society, Hot Springs.