Elmer John Biers was born October 30, 1921 in La Salle, Colorado to Elsie Marie Bledsoe Biers and Lora John Biers. He had a sister Lucille born in 1918 and a brother Fred born in1924. The family later moved to Greeley, Colorado, and Potter, Nebraska, before settling in Billings, Montana in 1931.

Elmer graduated from Billings High School in 1939. That was the same year the family started building a cabin in Red Lodge, Montana. The cabin was a vacation get-away - then and still is today.

He moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1941 and worked as a civilian aircraft mechanic at Dayton Air Force Base. On April 13, 1942 he married Dorothy Jean Morrow. In the fall of 1942 he transferred to Ellsworth Air Force Base and continued his employment as an aircraft mechanic. In the summer of 1943 Elmer joined the Army Air Force and served until December, 1945. All but 30 days of his military time was served in Europe. After his discharge he returned to Ellsworth Air Force Base continuing in the mechanic field. In 1949 Elmer and Dorothy purchased land near Black Hawk and later started a dairy farm operation. In 1963 Elmer purchased a ranch south of Tilford to expand the dairy farm. While Dorothy and the kids ran the farm, Elmer served in various capacities in civil service. In 1966 he was appointed to Chief of Production to coordinate the installation of minute man missile sites in Sedalia, Mo; Great Falls, Mt; Cheyenne, Wy; Minot, ND, and finished his career at Ellsworth Air Force Base in 1979.Elmer purchased and restored a damaged 1947 Navion airplane and enjoyed flying. He was a member of the Evangelical Free Church and made church a priority, seldom missing a Sunday. He also belonged to the Gideon organization. Elmer is survived by his wife of 69 years Dorothy, six sons; Darryl, Scenic; Bob, Helena, MT; Jim, Piedmont; Jerry, Tilford; Dallas, Piedmont; and David, Black Hawk; and two daughters, JoAnn, Gothenburg, NE; and Barb, Moorcroft, Wy. Elmer was blessed with 22 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his father, his mother, his stepfather, and siblings.

Elmer enjoyed traveling. The trip he shared the most about was to the Holy Land. This trip had a profound effect on his life and used it to further testify of his faith in God. His favorite trip was no doubt his final journey to be with his Savior on September 2, 2011. Visitation will be Wednesday at Kinkade Funeral Home in Sturgis from noon to 7 p.m., with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at the former First Evangelical Free Church at 1124 Kansas City Street, Rapid City. He will be laid to rest at Black Hills National Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the Hills View Evangelical Free Church building fund in Piedmont.

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