Leroy H. Beringer, 87, of Rapid City, died Thursday, January 12, 2017 in Ekalaka, Montana after a lengthy illness.

Leroy was born on October 1, 1929 in Lead, SD to Jacob and Mabel (Whetter) Beringer. He grew up in Central City, graduating from Lead High School in 1947.

He married Beverly Martin on September 5, 1954 in Lead, SD.

Leroy enlisted in the US Air Force in 1948 and served until 1949. He then joined the South Dakota Army National Guard and was activated in 1950.   As a Master Sergeant, Leroy commanded A Company Combat Engineers in Lead, and after taking a commission in 1955 he commanded the 109th Combat Battalion in Sturgis and the 109th Group in Rapid City. He retired from the South Dakota National Guard as Colonel in 1984. LeRoy began working at the Homestake Gold Mine in 1947 as a heavy equipment operator, retiring in 1989.

He and Beverly moved to Rapid City in 1995.

Leroy enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, ice skating in his younger days, competitive shooting, reading western novels and solving crossword puzzles.

Leroy is survived by his wife of 63 years, Beverly, Rapid City, two daughters; Cynthia (Michael) Quade, Ekalaka, MT and Pamela (Art) Davis, Atlantic, IA, two grandchildren, Kirsten Quade, Billings, MT and Emilie Quade, Missoula, MT and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters; Frances Templeton and Marlene Straub, and a brother Robert in infancy.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Wednesday, January 18 with Pastor Bruce Thalacker and Pastor Herb Cleveland officiating at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, followed by interment with military honors at Black Hills National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Dahl Memorial Nursing Home in Ekalaka, Montana.