Stephen C. Merritt, 73, of Wolsey, died Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at Good Samaritan Society in Sioux Falls, SD.
His memorial service will be on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at 11:00 AM at Welter Funeral Home with the Rev. L. Scott Spiehs officiating. A private family burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Stephen Craig Merritt was born on October 23, 1945, to Harold Burgess Merritt and Helen Louise (Dwyer) Merritt at Huron, SD.


He was a graduate of Huron High School and also served time in the National Guard as a mechanic.


He held jobs at Granny's and worked on the Yauney race car crew.  He was later self-employed as a small engine repairman working on lawnmowers, snowmobiles, motorcycles, etc.


On December 26, 1989, he married Ardythe Kline in Huron.  They built a home in Wolsey where he lived the rest of his life.


Steve loved being with his family and friends. He enjoyed yard work and gardening, coffee time at the Rolling Wheel, and snowmobiling.  He loved putting up lots of lights and decorations at Christmas and the 4th of July was an absolute favorite.


He is survived by his brother David (Kim) Merritt, of Ola, Idaho.  Three step-daughters: Pat (Levi) Glanzer of Dilworth, MN; Susan May of Rapid City; and Nancy (Phil) Barco of Chesapeake, VA; 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Kendall (Joey) Groothius , and several nieces and nephews.


He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ardythe in 2001, great-grandson Austin Bowman and sister-in-law JoAnn Quellar.

In lieu of flowers the family would prefer memorials to the American Cancer Society in care of Beadle County Relay for Life, 39718 201 ^st St, Huron, SD 57350.