Robert L. Stanfield, 87, of Wessington, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, at the Huron Regional Medical Center.

His funeral service was held on Monday, Dec. 31, at the Kuhler Funeral Home. Burial was at the G.A.R. Cemetery at Miller. The Hershman-Gordon Post #59 American Legion of Wolsey conducted the military honors. A fellowship luncheon was held at the Wessington Legion Hall after the burial. Visitation was held on Sunday, Dec. 30, at the Kuhler Funeral Home.

Robert L. Stanfield was born Sept. 22, 1931, to Dean and Grace (Butts) Stanfield at Letcher. His education began at country schools, and he graduated from Artesian High School. Robert then enlisted in the United States Navy during the Korean War, and he was honorably discharged. Robert then completed his formal education by graduating as a diesel mechanic from a trade school at Fargo, N.D. He worked as a diesel mechanic all of his life. In 1975, Robert began working for the South Dakota Department of Transportation. He retired in 1995.

On Dec. 29, 1956, Robert married Billie LaVonne Joy at Sunbeam Church near Miller. They made their home in Huron until 1970, when they moved their family to Cavour. In 1975, they moved to the family farm north of Vayland, where they lived for many years. Robert and Billie then moved to Huron, Springfield, Aberdeen, and back to Huron. In 1995, he moved to Wessington.

He was a member of the VFW and American Legion at Wolsey. He was also a member of the Wessington Senior Center.

Grateful for having shared in his life are his three daughters and their husbands, Barbara and John Pollock of Clark, Bonnie and Steve Mees of Huron, and Becky and Butch Downey of Cavour; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Alice Joy of Aberdeen, Janet Bobeldyke of Huron, Betty Seter of Idaho, and Donna Stanfield of Spearfish.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Billie; one grandson, Tom; one grandson-in-law, Jesse; his long-time companion, Betty French; three brothers, Eldon, Ralph, and Bruce Stanfield; and one sister, Helen Estes.

Reverend Garry Swagger, 74, of Letcher, died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, at Merrick Medical Center in Central City, Neb.

Memorial services will be 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5, at the Mitchell Wesleyan Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday at Mitchell Wesleyan Church.

Rev. Garry Lloyd Swagger was born on Dec. 3, 1944, in Amery, Wisc. to Kenneth and Ruth “Margaret” (Rosen) Swagger. He was the oldest of eight children.

Garry graduated from Lincoln High School in Lake City, Minn. From there, he attended Winona State College for one year, worked at St. Mary’s Hospital, part of the Mayo Medical Center, for a time, and then entered North Central Bible College in Minneapolis in pastoral studies. He became an ordained minister in the early 1970s.

While at North Central Bible College, Garry met and fell in love with Joyce Cummings. They were married in 1966 and went into the ministry. To this union, three children were born, Scott, D’An and D’Nelle.

They served churches in Hopkins and Lake City, Minn., Nekoosa and Cornell, Wisc., Burton and Springview, Neb., and for the past 24 ½  years, they have served the Loomis Congregational Church and the Letcher Community Church.

Garry is survived by his wife, Joyce; three children, Scott Swagger (Lori Mandolfo) of Elmwood, Neb., D’An (Barry) Supernaw of Central City, Neb., and D’Nelle (Colin) Carnahan of Boulder, Colo.; five grandchildren; six siblings, Cheryl (Gene) Bowman of Rochester, Minn., Rev. Randall (Diane) Swagger of Canon City, Colo., Rev. Steve (Jackie) Swagger of Winona, Minn., Gene Swagger of Bellingham, Wash., Wendy (Mike) Huls of Rochester, Minn., Rev. David (Sherri) Swagger of Red Wing, Minn.; one brother-in-law, Rev. Howard (Margie) Cummings of Aurora, Colo.; one sister-in-law, Wanema Wieczorek of Mitchell; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Diane; paternal and maternal grandparents; parents-in-law, Rev. and Mrs. J.M. Cummings; and two brothers-in-law, Roger Koeshall and Glen Wieczorek. 

Donald R. Merriman, 98, died Friday, Dec. 14, 2018 at Sanford USD Medical Center.

A memorial service and burial with military honors will take place at a later date. Arrangements were made through the Wass Funeral Home, Beresford.

Donald Raymond Merriman was born in Lane on Nov. 12, 1920 to Ira and Clara (Brattrud) Merriman. He graduated from Woonsocket High School, and then worked for his uncle, Tony Kuborn, drilling water wells. He later moved to Yankton, where he worked for Finger Well Drilling and met Elaine Dahlin. The two were married in McCook, Neb. on October 10, 1942.

At the age of 22, he was drafted into military service. He intended to be a pilot, but upon showing a strong aptitude for math and science, he was placed into specialized training courses at the University of Alabama to become a navigator. Donald later graduated from the USAAF Advanced Navigation School in Ellington Field, Texas and was sent overseas to serve during World War II. His combat unit of the U.S. Army Air Corps was based in England, and he flew eleven missions as a navigator with the 94th Bomb Group before the war ended, and then spent time in Germany helping keep the peace before returning home to Elaine.

Don and Elaine moved to Beresford, where he started Merriman Well Drilling. Don was active in both the state and national drilling conventions. He was very active in the VFW where he served as Commander three times and as Quartermaster for twenty years. Don also served on the Beresford School Board and as a Beresford City Council member.

Don is survived by his seven children, Gloria Gunnare, Gayle (Robert) White, Dale (Judi) Merriman, Larry (Marty) Merriman, Lonnie (Linda) Merriman, Sharon Merriman, and Penny (Brian) Lansdowne; nineteen grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Elaine; his son, Geoff, son-in-law, Cliff Gunnare; great-grandson, Joshua; two brothers, Keith and Vern Merriman; and his parents, Ira and Clara Merriman.