David Merrill

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Obituary

David Merrill, 83, of Plankinton, SD, passed away Friday, December 29, 2023, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 6, 2024, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Plankinton. Burial will be at Mizpah Cemetery in Plankinton. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7:00 PM at the Church with a 6:30 PM prayer service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Dave William Merrill was born to William and Alvera Merrill, on July 30, 1940, in Onida, South Dakota. He graduated Onida High School May 13, 1958. Dave graduated from Southern State Teachers College in 1962 with a BS degree in Vocational Teacher Education. He completed his Master’s degree from Colorado State University in 1969.

Dave’s career started with summers painting at Youngberg and Sons, which came in handy for his entire family. His first “real” job was teaching at the State Training School in Plankinton.  He met a local girl, Ruth Maine at a wedding reception and they would marry on August 13, 1966 at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Plankinton. Their next stop was Aberdeen, South Dakota where he taught electronics at Aberdeen Central High School. They welcomed Kimberly Kay, November 29, 1969 and followed 3 years later by Robert William, born September 8, 1972. In 1975 they moved to Pierre, South Dakota where Dave became the State Supervisor of Trade and Industrial Education-Office of Adult, Vocational and Technical Education, State of South Dakota where he remained till his retirement in 2002 at age 62.

Their mutual love of restoring antique furniture led them on their next adventure back to Plankinton where they bought and lovingly restored a house built in 1887. Dave’s passion for education led him to serve on Plankinton’s School Board after retirement.  He also spent a good portion of his career serving on the South Dakota State Employees Organization, American Vocational Association, Jaycees, South Dakota Education Association, Toastmasters International and the Plankinton Food Pantry. Both he and Ruth were active at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre and Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Plankinton. They enjoyed many trips with their children and grandchildren.

Dave is survived by his wife, Ruth; two children, Kimberly (Thomas) McNurlin and Robert (Kim) Merrill; two grandchildren, Elyse and Jorja Merrill; brothers, Tom (Dorothea) Merrill and Rev. John (Kenlyn) Merrill; and brothers-in-law, Richard Faulhaber and Rodney Maine.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Nancy Mileusnich and Georgia Allen; and sisters-in-law, Vickey Faulhaber and Carol Schoenfelder.

If you knew Dave, you know he has never met a stranger and he seemed to know everyone in the state of South Dakota. Dave positively impacted his community as well as his family’s lives. He will be truly missed.

In lieu of flowers, David’s family suggests contributions be made to St Paul Lutheran Church 109 W. State St., Plankinton, SD, 57368.

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