Allen Merrill
June 13, 1951 ~ January 22, 2017
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Allen Merrill, 65, of Gettysburg, passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2017 at the Avera Maryhouse in Pierre.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 26, 2017 at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Gettysburg Cemetery, with military honors.
Allen Edward Merrill was born June 13, 1951 in Onida, SD, to Robert and Phyllis (Parks) Merrill. He was baptized in the Methodist Church. Allen attended grade school at East Harrison Country School until the 8th grade, and graduated from Gettysburg High School in 1969. Following graduation, Allen entered the United States Army. He took his basic training at Ft. Lewis, Washington. He served his two years in Viet Nam and was honorably discharged in 1972.
Allen did carpentry work with his uncle, Edward Merrill, in Rapid City. He then moved to Gillette, WY, where he started driving truck. He lived there several years driving truck in the Douglas, WY area. Allen later returned to Gettysburg, and he was working at Northern Plains Coop when he was diagnosed with cancer in January of 2015.
Allen loved to travel and attended many veteran’s conventions during his lifetime. He was a longtime member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Dakota Kruzer’s Car Club. He loved his little convertible car and attended many car shows in this area. Allen was very active in the VFW, and he was the Commander at the time of his death.
Allen liked people and often met strangers that were told they could hunt pheasants on his dad’s farm. His family met many hunters that way.
Allen is survived by his mother, Phyllis Merrill of Gettysburg; brother, Mark Merrill of Pierre; and many aunts, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Merrill; two sets of grandparents; and many other family members.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Allen's arrangements.
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Very sorry to hear of Al’s passing. He was such a good man and he will be missed greatly. RIP
Phylis and Mark, I am so sorry to hear of Allen’s passing. He fought a long battle with courage. May he rest in peace.
Prayers to your family. It was a honor to have cared for him.
Rest in peace,old friend…See you later… Sorry for your loss,Phylis,and Mark Bill Gibson
Phyllis, Mark and to everyone else I know Al fought a long fight may he Rest In Peace I know he was greatly loved by many and will be missed by you and also my sister Tina and her boys.
Sending prayers of comfort during this difficult time may you find comfort in your many memories of Al and may God wrap his loving arms around you at this time.
Phyllis and Mark I am so sorry to hear of Al’s passing. He was such a good person that I know will be missed so much by you and everyone who was blessed to know Al. Terry & I always enjoyed his visits when he was in the Black Hills. Whether it was for an appt. at the VA or in the area for a car show, Al always took the time to stop by and say hello and visit for awhile. Terry loved it when he would bring his old car by to show him. I also have to say, that the Family Reunion we had in Gettysbury a couple of summers ago, which Allen helped with was one of the best reunions I have been to. What a great 4th of July, getting together and visiting with family, having the Gettysburg 4th of July events going on: The Car Show and the fireworks display that evening way outstanding. It was such a great and it was so good to be able to spend so much of the day with Al. May the memories and love you shared over the years, always be dear to your heart and help you through this time. Love to all of you. Good bye Allen you will be missed but never ever forgotten.
We are sorry for the loss of your son/brother. He is with the Lord and at peace. He is with Bud. May you have many fond memories to comfort you. He will be missed .
To Mark Merrill: We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. We will be praying for you and your mother to find peace through Jesus Christ in your time of grief. If your brother was anything like you, he was a fine upstanding citizen of the United States and will be missed by many.