Eddie M. Mead, 69, of Huron, died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, at Huron Baptist Church with the Rev. Chet Coolbaugh officiating. Burial of his cremains will be at a later date at Lakewood Cemetery in Waubay, S.D. A memorial visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at Welter Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Memorials may be directed to the Huron Advocacy Program, (address of where they can be sent) Edward M. Mead was born Oct. 17, 1945, in Redfield to Myron and Mildred (Griswold) Mead. He was sick and developed a high fever as a toddler, which resulted in developmental disabilities. He attended public school in Redfield until he was 16. He was a resident of the S.D. Developmental Center in Redfield for several years before moving to Huron, where he lived with his father. After his father's death he became involved with the Center for Independence (then known as the Adjustment Training Center) in Huron. He lived in the 1030 House for several years, then began living in his own apartment with assistance from the Center for Independence. He valued his independence and loved being able to come and go as he pleased. Eddie worked as a custodian at the Federal Building in Huron for 11 years. The highlight of each week for Eddie was the Saturday afternoon matinee at Huron Luxury Cinemas (which he seldom missed) and church activities. He looked forward to attending Family Night activities in Campbell Park on Thursday nights each summer. Eddie accepted Jesus Christ as his savior during a John Wesley White crusade held in Huron in the late-1980s. Eddie loved people and impacted many lives with his child-like faith and sincerity. He became the "adopted" son of Crystal and Bob Pugsley in April 1986, becoming a part of family activities including birthday parties and all the holidays. When the Huron Advocacy Program formed in the summer of 1986, they became involved and had been Eddie's advocates ever since. He remembered the names of everyone he met, regardless of how long it might have been since he last saw that person. Eddie loved music and enjoyed watching Lawrence Welk on Public Television each week. His passion was collecting calendars and keeping track of upcoming holidays. He also liked to play Bingo and Uno. He loved meal times, and always liked to make sure there would be enough for seconds! He is survived by his advocates, Bob and Crystal Pugsley, and their children and families, Shawn (Kara) Pugsley, Stacey (Ronnie) Tschetter and Brandon, and Erick (Jackie) Pugsley and Victoria and Sarah, all of Huron; and all his friends and support staff at the Center for Independence, Huron Luxury Cinemas and the Federal Building. He was preceded in death by his parents, Myron and Mildred; and a half-brother.