Harman Elton Barber, better known as "Elton" to his family and friends, was born August 3, 1907, at Rodney, Iowa, to Harmon Amos and Melissa Oliva (Kinnaman) Barber.

As a young man he moved with his parents to a homestead in the Weta area, west of Kadoka.  He grew up there and graduated from Weta High School in 1926.

He was united in marriage to Mayron Putnam on March 14, 1926, and to this union was born two daughters: Areleen and Maxine.  They made their home on the Barber homestead, which they operated until 1937 when Elton was stricken with spinal meningitis and they moved into Wanblee to be near a doctor.  They then built a log home in Wanblee.

On April 4, 1942, Elton was united in marriage to Lola Lanora Alden at Philip and to this union was born five children: Ronnie, Mike, Greg, Doug and Roxy.

In late 1943, they purchased a grocery store and service station in Wanblee which they operated until 1945 when they moved to a ranch located in the Badlands near White River, 12 miles east of Interior.  After the blizzard of '49, they moved into Kadoka so the children could attend school.

While in Kadoka they owned and operated the Wagon Wheel Cabin Court and later purchased the A-1 Motel and Trailer Rental, along with the operation of the ranch.  Elton built dams and roads, and raised horses and hogs.  He was a Moorman Feed salesman for several years before retiring in 1972.

Elton was united in marriage to Mary Ann Peck on July 1, 1974, at Pierre, South Dakota.  They have continued to make their home in Kadoka and still operate the motels.

Elton attended the Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Mt. Moriah Lodge #155, A.F. & A.M., for 50 years.  He has been a member of the Shrine Temple for 15 years.  He enjoyed dancing, playing cribbage, and pitch.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Mary Ann Barber of Kadoka; three daughters, Areleen (Mrs. Sam) Guttilla of Chicago, Illinois, Maxine (Mrs. Joe) Boone of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Roxann (Mrs. Raymond) Formanek of Philip; four sons, Ronald Elton Barber of Rapid City, Michael Ray Barber of Tampa, Florida, Gregory Allen Barber of Rapid City, and Dwight Douglas Barber of Rapid City; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Dale Barber of Kadoka; one step-son, Joseph Salway of Garden Grove, California; two step-daughters, Sharon Blackwell of Torrence, California, and Patricia Ditel of Landale, California; three step-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, his parents, three half-brothers, and two half-sisters.

Services
Saturday, May 1, 1993
2:00 p.m.
Presbyterian Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

Officiating
Reverend Gary McCubbin

Eulogy
Larry Beckwith

Music
Joyce Wheeler & Lynden Ireland

Ushers
Joe Boone - Sam Guttilla

Active Pallbearers
Ronald Barber - Michael Barber
Dwight Barber - Gregory Barber
Raymond Formanek - Jeffrey Barber
Sam Salway - Berry Barber

Honorary Pallbearers
All the Grandchildren
His Brother - Dale Barber
Dr. Coen Klopper
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment with Masonic Rites
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota