Wayne D. Esmay was born August 3, 1926 in Rapid City, South Dakota, the son of Maurice and Louise (Millard) Esmay. Wayne attended his first years of school north of Draper at Spears, later at Highland, north of Murdo. He graduated from Murdo High School in 1944. During high school he worked for Bill Sorensen at the mortuary.

Wayne enlisted in the United States Navy on February 17, 1945. He was honorably discharged on July 27, 1946. He worked for Francis Plumbing where he learned the electrical business.

On September 16, 1950, Wayne married Margie Sandy in Murdo. In the fall of 1951, they moved to the Sandy ranch south of Okaton where they had twelve wonderful years raising their five children. In 1961, Wayne returned to the electrical business and moved to Murdo.

Wayne loved to travel and visited the Sandy’s in Australia five different times. Wayne was a member of the Untied Methodist Church in Murdo, the American Legion, a charter member of the Lion’s Club, and a member of the Murdo Volunteer Fire Department.

Wayne is survived by his wife Margie of Murdo; his children Vicki Doster and her husband Charles of Gardener, Kansas, Wayne S. Esmay and his wife Lorrie of Murdo, Wanda Krogman and her husband Ben of White River, Jon M. Esmay of Murdo, and Heidi M. Esmay of Sioux Falls; nine grandchildren CharLee and Sydney Doster, Jon, Matthew, Kari and Jordan Esmay, and Summer, Kolby "Kassie" and Kyler Krogman; two great-grandchildren Gage Esmay and Kash Wayne Krogman; a sister Melda Farris and her husband Jack of Woonsocket; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; and his step-father Marlin Spears.

Visitation was held 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, April 27, at the United Methodist Church in Murdo, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services were held 1:00 p.m. CDT at the United Methodist Church in Murdo, with Pastor Bob Duemig officiating.

Interment was in the Murdo Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Taylor-McCloughan American Legion Post #75 of Murdo and the Barrett-Dowling American Legion Post #301 of Draper.

A memorial is established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Thursday, April 28, 2005 1:00 p.m. CDT
United Methodist Church
Murdo, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Bob Duemig
MUSIC
Lois Jaide – Organist
Congregational Hymns
"In The Garden" #314
"Precious Lord Take My Hand" #474
"Lord Of The Dance" #261
USHERS
Mark Strait – Mike Waldron
REGISTER BOOK ATTENDANTS
Edna McKenzie – Velma Vollmer
PALLBEARERS
Wayne’s Grandchildren
Jon M. Esmay – Matthew Esmay
Kari Esmay – Jordan Esmay
Summer Krogman – Kolby Krogman
Kyler Krogman – CharLee Doster – Sydney Doster
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Murdo High School Class of 1944 and
Howard Peters – Calvin Smith – Paul Anderson
INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Murdo Cemetery
Murdo, South Dakota
Taylor-McCloughan American Legion Post #75
of Murdo and
Barrett-Dowling American Legion Post #301
of Draper.
"Horse Sense"
A horse can’t pull while kicking.
This fact I merely mention.
And he can’t kick while pulling,
Which is my chief contention.
Let’s imitate the good old horse
And lead a life that’s fitting;
Just pull an honest lead, and then
There’ll be no time for kicking.
Author Unknown