Walter Gustave 'Walt' DeNeve, 88, of Custer, SD, passed away with his family at his side July 10, 2017, at the Rapid City Regional Hospice House in Rapid City, SD.

Walt was born September 13, 1928, in Letcher, SD, to August and Rose Anna (Poitrus) DeNeve. Walt began his military service in the United States Air Force in 1951, where he served as a maintenance inspector and was stationed in Texas; Roswell, NM; Sidislimaine, North Africa; El Paso, TX; and Denver, CO; where he was honorably discharged on June 21, 1959. After his discharge, Walt worked numerous mechanical and independent wood working jobs in El Paso; Bedford, IN. He owned and managed a lock smith business in Las Cruses, NM; or several years before retiring. Walt married his beloved wife, Ruth, in 1970, and spent 18 happy years with her before her death. In 2006, he moved to Custer where he has resided for the past nine years. Walt was a member of the Custer Lions Club and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. He enjoyed volunteer work for the Custer Senior Meal Program.

Walt is survived by his daughter, Sheri; as well as close family members (nieces and nephews) who were like his children, Kate of Rapid City; Dan of Boise, ID; Mark of Westlake Village, CA; Jane of Juneau, AK; Ellen of Bermuda Dunes, CA; Greg of Pierre, SD; Barb of Sioux Falls, SD; Gordon of Rapid City and Joel of Corpus Christi, TX.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth; son, Greg; and sister, Rose Marie Wendell.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 14, 2017, at St. John the Baptist Church in Custer with Fr. Grant Gerlach as Celebrant.

Committal services will be held at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.