Merle Calhoon, 93, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2014 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility in Winner, SD. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Christ Lutheran Church in Winner, SD. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. All services will be held at the church. Burial will follow the funeral service on Thursday at the Winner City Cemetery. Merle Clyde Calhoon was born on July 4, 1920 in Winner, SD. He was the 6th of 7 children born to Clyde and Beda (Quick) Calhoon. Merle was raised on the Calhoon Ranch in the Ideal area as a boy and attended Star Valley grade school. He graduated from Winner High School in 1937. Merle volunteered during WWII and served from December 1943 to March 1946. He was part of the 16th Infantry "The Big Red 1". He fought in many battles, including "The Battle of the Bulge". Although he lived to tell about it...he chose not to. He was wounded in Belgium and was flown to Paris to recuperate. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. When Merle returned from Europe in March of 1946, after WWII, he was introduced to Ruth Andersen. They dated for a short time and Merle knew Ruth was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. They were married on February 9th,1947 and spent the next 66 years together. In the beginning they farmed and ranched in the Ideal area with Merle's brother, Leon and wife, Wilma. In the early 50's they moved to the Hamill community where they farmed and ranched and raised their 3 children. Merle also worked at the Winner Livestock Auction Co. as a Clerk for nearly 40 years until issues with Macular Degeneration would not allow him to continue. Merle and Ruth retired from the family farm in 1972 and moved to Winner. Merle then commuted to Hamill to work for Bud Johnson on his farm. Bud was a close neighbor and they grew to be the best of friends. It was hard for Merle to say "Goodbye" to farming when his sight impairment made it impossible for him to continue. He cherished the companionship of his friends and despite his impairment, Merle, Bud and many other friends formed a bowling league and would bowl every week! Merle took pride that he would bowl over 100 every game! Merle was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, Hamill, and served on the church council. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion. Merle always enjoyed music...as a boy he played the violin and then the piano. He loved to play the piano for his daughter and grandchildren and they would sing along! Following Merle and Ruth's retirement, they volunteered for the Meals on Wheels. Ruth drove and Merle walked the food trays to the door. Later in life the food trays were delivered to them...kindness paid forward. Merle was a devoted husband and even with his memory loss near the end, his love for Ruth was everlasting. His family will always cherish the memories of his kindness, humor and love for his family! He is survived by two sons, Dennis (Kathy) of Winner, SD and Kelly (Suzanne) of Centerton, AR, one daughter, Karen (Dan) Long of Omaha, NE, seven grandchildren, Michelle (Travis) Carpenter of Mitchell, SD, Deonne (Jeff) Portner of Tea, SD, Darnele (Mitch) Smith of Tea, SD, Kelsi Long of Omaha, NE, Kirbi Long of Las Vegas, NV, Ryan (Jessica) Calhoon of Dallas, TX and Kaitlin Long of Omaha, NE. He has 9 great grandchildren; Mason, Cade and Sutton Carpenter, Dawson and Presley Portner, Lily and Beau Calhoon, Oliver and Oakley Merle Smith, and a host of nieces and nephews. Merle was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, his parents, 6 siblings, Marjorie (Mick), Opal (Les), Leon (Wilma), Vern (Mary Lu), Rex (Marge), Jean (Leo). It brings the family great comfort to know that Merle is reunited with Ruth, his family and friends, and that he can once again see, hear and walk for eternity with them.....with his blue eyes and charming smile.