Eldon Merkel

Visitation: will be from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 19, 2004 at the Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel in Gillette, WY

Funeral Services: will be at 2:00 PM, Friday, August 20, 2004 at the Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel in Gillette, WY

Interment: will follow at the Mount Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette, WY

Funeral services for Eldon Merkel will be at 2:00 PM, Friday, August 20, 2004 at the Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel in Gillette, Wyoming with Pastor Andrew Carsrud of the Family Life Church of Gillette, Wyoming officiating. Interment will follow at the Mount Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette, Wyoming. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 19, 2004 at the Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel in Gillette.

Eldon Merkel, age 75, of Gillette, Wyoming died Monday, August 16, 2004 at the Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Gillette, Wyoming.

Eldon Clayton Merkel was born August 5, 1929, the son of Sam and Clara (Wade) Merkel in Glenham, South Dakota, where he was also raised and educated. On October 20, 1945, Eldon married LaVonne Wientjes in Glenham, S.D. from this time until 1963 she and Eldon farmed together. The couple later divorced. After farming, Eldon became selfemployed doing landscape work in Mobridge S.D. In 1981 he moved to Gillette where he began Cowboy Irrigation. In 1986 Eldon began work at the Farmers Co-Op where he was employed until 1994. During that time he continued Cowboy Irrigation, not retiring completely until 1999.

Eldon is survived by three daughters: Judy (Glenn) Jilek of Gillette, Wyoming; Sheri (Wayne) Larson of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Eldonna McArthur of Gillette, Wyoming; two sons: Steve (Judy) Merkel of Mobridge, South Dakota; Ben (Gloria) Merkel of Falls Church, Virginia; one brother, Kennis Merkel of Lincoln, Nebraska; two sisters: Arloa Mrs. Jerry Ingram of Texarcana, Arkansas; Rosalyn Punkie (Jim) Manharth of York, Nebraska; twelve grandchildren; six great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant sister, Karen; one infant granddaughter and one infant great granddaughter.

Condolences may be sent in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonandsons.com.