Michael Allen McInerney, 54, passed away Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Gillette.Â
Mike was born Feb. 18, 1966, in Newcastle, Wyoming, to Carol and Allen Battenfield, joining his older sister, Lea. He spent his early years in Wyoming.
In 1972, Carol married Paul McInerney and they moved to Spearfish, South Dakota.
Mike graduated from Spearfish High School in 1984. In school, he enjoyed football, wrestling and youth rodeo.Â
Mike enlisted in the U.S. Army immediately after graduating, where he served four years working on helicopters as a specialist in aircraft repair. Among his accomplishments in the Army was becoming a certified weapons instructor and earning the honor of Lifetime Member of the U.S. Army Snipers.Â