David Merrill
Dates
July 30, 1940 - December 29, 2023Obituary
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.
Visitation(s)
Friday, January 5, 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
6:30 PM Prayer Service
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
109 W State St
Plankinton, SD 57368
Service
Saturday, January 6, 2024
11:00 AM
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
109 W State St
Plankinton, SD 57368
Cemetery
Mizpah CemeteryPlankinton, SD
I was so shocked and saddened when I received the Pointer newsletter today and saw that Dave had passed. I was so lucky to have met and become friends with Dave at Southern in 1961. We did so much together that year and the following few years. He taught me how to water ski in his new boat and was a groomsman in our wedding when Linda & I got married in 1966, just a few weeks before your wedding in Plankinton. We had been fortunate enough to have come to Plankinton a few times to see him and then had the pleasure of meeting you, Ruth.It was such a treat to reunite with you when we moved to Aberdeen in 1972. Unfortunately after we left South Dakota we were rarely able to see you. When we moved to Luverne a few years later, it was always a special treat when he would be working for a few days in Sioux Falls and suddenly come wandering into our back yard. Dave was a very special person and I will always cherish the memories we had together during those years. Our sympathy to all of you and especially Ruth. Sending our love. Derald & Linda