Eugene "Frank" "Gene" Pelkey, 80, Sturgis, died Monday, December 29, 2008, at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center.

Visitation will be Monday from noon until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Father Arnold Kari and Father Bill Zandri officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard.

Frank was born February 13, 1928, in Keystone, SD, to Elwood and Anina Mae (Cole) Pelkey. He attended school in Rapid City and graduated from Rapid City High School. Frank served in the US Navy from 1945 until his honorable discharge in 1946. He returned to the Black Hills and married Antoinette "Babe" Kilker at St. Martin's Chapel on July 20, 1949. Frank worked for F & M Bootery and Sorbel's Shoes in Rapid City for over 40 years. He worked for Allison Publishing from 1988 until 1999. Frank also worked for West River Catholic for 12 years.

Frank was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and the Elks.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Babe Pelkey, Sturgis; one daughter, Debbie (Bob) May, Sacramento, CA; two grandchildren, Becky and Bobby May, Sacramento, CA; two nieces, Kitty Baker, Sturgis, and Teri Pourier, Rapid City; five nephews, Jim Helm, Fairbanks, AK, John Moore, Sioux Falls, SD, Larry Pelkey, Kentucky, Richard Pelkey, Rapid City, and Steven Peltier, Sidney, Australia; four great-nieces; seven great-nephews; and special friends, Neil and Eileen Hodges, Rick and Vicky Wieczorek, and Steve and Kathy Jennings.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and one sister.

Memorials have been established to St. Martin's Chapel and St. Martin's Monestary.