Merrill P. Carley was born the son of Phil G. and Emma Mae (Stephany) Carley on November 9, 1912 in Philip, South Dakota. He grew up in the Dowling, South Dakota area north of Philip where his parents had homesteaded. He attended school at Dowling through the 7th grade then went two years to mechanical school.

He married Teresa Haley April 27, 1935 in Rapid City, South Dakota. They farmed and ranched eighteen miles northwest of Philip until September 1963 when they moved to Rapid Valley. He continued to run cattle right up until several years ago when he sold his cows. He said he wasn’t getting too old but his cows were. Merrill appreciated being with his family and friends. He loved to play cards, go for drives, and control prairie dogs. He especially liked to help out farming with the air-conditioned tractors.

Merrill died in a car accident on June 28, 2002.

Merrill is survived by his daughter, Merrilyn Schroeder and her husband Dave of Rapid City; a son Philip Carley and his wife Karen of Milesville; grandchildren and their families, Valerie and Brian Petersen and children Matthew and Melanie of Gering, Nebraska; Angelia and David Shields and children Dalton, Emmett, Maurisa, Joesze, and Wyatt of Bayard, Nebraska; Scott and Deanna Schroeder and children Dacia, Nicholas, and Alysa of Omaha, Nebraska; Joe and LaRae Carley and children Brett, Grady, and Joey of Philip; Adam and Randi Dawn Schroeder and child Adaimia of Goose Creek, South Carolina; Dennis Schroeder of San Diego, California; Dalyn and Rocky East and children Ethan, Braxton, and Haley of Orange, Texas; Jon Carley of Woonsocket, South Dakota; Andrea Carley of Philip; and Abby Carley of Philip. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Joyce Haley of Missoula, Montana, and Blanche Haley of Huron, South Dakota; a special family friend, Margaret Jacobs and family; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Merrill was preceded in death by his wife Teresa on January 31, 2002, and his parents.

Visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, 2002 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip with Father Tony Grossenburg officiating.

Interment will be in the Masonic Cemetery, Philip.

A memorial is established.

OFFICIANT
Father Tony Grossenburg

ALTAR SERVERS
Sayde Coyle - Katie Coyle

MUSIC
Marianne Frein – Organist
Joe Carley & Deanna Schroeder – Vocalists

LECTOR
Joe Gittings

USHERS
Walter "Bud" Jones- Charles Johnson

PALLBEARERS
Scott Schroeder - Adam Schroeder
Dennis Schroeder - Brian Petersen
David Shields - Rocky East
Joe Carley - Jon Carley

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota