Mary Alice Neville was born December 25, 1921, in a washtub on her parents’ homestead in Milesville, South Dakota, the daughter of Dewitt Clinton and Harriet Adams (Stiles) Neville. She grew up on the farm in the Milesville community taking her education at Fairplay and Hart rural schools, and three years of high school at Philip. As a young youth, she worked as a maid at the Cheney Ranch in the Milesville area and at the Bjorge mansion in Lead.
Mary was united in marriage to Raymond Deuchar on December 28, 1941 at the First Lutheran Church in Milesville, where she was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. They made their home on the Deuchar farm in the Milesville area until 1975, when they moved to Philip.
Her husband Raymond preceded her in death on December 18, 1997. After his death, she continued to reside in Philip. Due to health reasons, she moved into the Philip Nursing Home in May 2004, where she has since resided.
While in Philip, Mary Alice was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, a member of the Federated Women’s Club of Philip, serving as president in 1982, and she was a secret grandmother for FHA.
Mary Alice began to write poetry in high school and also found a love and talent for drawing. She took singing lessons in high school and sang frequently at banquets and social functions. An interest in drama also developed, and she was active in plays throughout her life, from high school plays as a youth, to Milesville plays when she was a wife and mother. Mary Alice taught herself to play the harmonica and has entertained many times at the nursing home. She enjoyed playing her harmonica with her friends Maurice Falzone and Marie Hansen. Being a very creative person and possessing as she says, "a God given talent" she continued with her drawing and sketching, working with pastels and subsequently producing some very beautiful paintings.
Grateful for having shared her life are her children Joan Bessette and her husband Duane of Philip, Cheryl Harry and her husband Keith of Midland, Gene Deuchar and his wife Theresa of Milesville, and James Deuchar of Rapid City; thirteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; a sister Helen Wegner of Hanna, Wyoming; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband Raymond, Mary Alice was preceded in death a daughter Dianne Faye Anderson, three brothers Allen, Andrew, and Isaac Neville; and a half sister Katherine Sykes.
Visitation was held 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Thursday.
Funeral services weree held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 28, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Philip, with Pastor Robert Oettel officiating.
Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery, Philip.
A memorial is established.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Thursday, July 28, 2005 10:00 a.m.
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Robert Oettel
MUSIC
Marilyn Millage - Pianist
Elvera Moos - Vocalist
"The Old Rugged Cross"
"On The Wings Of A Dove"
"Amazing Grace"
USHERS
Eric Neville – Luke Neville
PALLBEARERS
Kenny Neville – Henry Hanson
Todd Radway – Steve Pekron
Mike Gebes – Marty Hook
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
And All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
"I ADORE YOU"
I adore every smile that comes on your face,
I adore every wisp of your hair out of place.
It’s a treasure divine
I’ve found in this heart of mine,
It’s something nothing else can replace.
I adore the gentle caress of you hand,
I adore the sweetness of your voice in command.
Please, dear, don’t make me wait,
Tell me before it’s too late
That I may have your heart to demand.
Love is grand, that I know, but what could be more
Wonderful than to have someone like you to adore?
Written by Mary Alice Deuchar
Guest Book
We are sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. Please know we are thinking of you at this difficult time.
~ Colgan and Marjean Huber
Bison, SD (7/24/2005)
We realize that these things have to happen to all of us but we know that you and us will miss her. What a wonderful happy and loving person she was. We really enjoyed every time we could visit her. Our prayers and Love goes to her family. God be with you.
~ George & Orrey King
P.O. Box 1316 Benson, Arizona 85602 (7/24/2005)
I am so sorry for your loss. Though it has been some time since I have seen her, I remember the wonderful woman Mary Alice was. She touched the lives of all that knew her and she will truly be missed. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to know her and be touched by her art and poetry as much as by her loving and caring personality. She always welcomed me into her home as if I was one of her grandchildren and made me feel like one of the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Along with your mourning and sorrow, please do not forget to rejoice in the wonderful times you had with her and all that she has given to each of us.
~ Tonda (Jacob) Ellis
Sioux Falls, SD (7/24/2005)
My sympathy to Mary Alice's family. I haven't seen her in quite a long time, but always enjoyed visiting with her and seeing her smile. God's blessings. Elaine
~ Elaine Staben
10 S. Yellowstone #11 Bozeman, MT 59718 (7/24/2005)
We got to know Mary Alice through Joan and grew to love her. We enjoyed her many talents and good humor. I know we will miss her and know you will too. Let the memories of her comfort and be with you to help you in the days ahead. God bless you.
~ George & Orrey King
P.O. Box 1316 Benson, Arizona 85602 (7/24/2005)
We are so "sorry" to hear of the passing of Mary Alice. She was a genuine and adorable lady. She opened her heart to everyone and her talent was a blessing from God. He guided her paintbrush with His hand and gave her such a lovely voice to share with everyone. We will miss her very much but will always keep her in our heart and remember God knows how to lead the way.
~ Don and Vi (Lampert) Moody
24134 SD Hwy. 73, Philip, SD 57567 (7/24/2005)
Enjoyed learning more about Mary Alice. She was really a talented lady. I didn't know about her playing the harmonica. I, too, have a great love for it and took classes. I wished I'd known and could have heard her play the times we visited.
~ Ruth Reetz
Bloomington, MN (7/24/2005)
You are in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. Losing anyone in your life is hard, but especially your own Mother or Father.
~ Aaron & Angie Doolittle
. (7/24/2005)
Mary Alice was a very neat lady and I will miss her very much. May God Bless you all thru this time.
~ Kagee Formanek
. (7/24/2005)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your mother. She was a great person and will be missed by all who knew her.
~ Lloyd and Rosetta Royer
1076 Windsor Ct., Waukee, Iowa 50263 (7/24/2005)
My sincere sympathy to the family. We grew together as neighbors and friends and Mary Alice always had a wonderful laugh and twinkle in her eyes. Always looking at the world through a perspective that we all envy. The only regrets you have in later years is the regret of something you wish you had done. Mary Alice was so proud of her mother, Hattie, for helping her to pursue art work and other things and for the family for enriching her with special things. An inspiration to us all.
~ Marsha Sumpter
820 SD Hwy. 248 (7/24/2005)
My sincere sympathy to all of you. I have fond memories or Mary Alice with her harmonica, paintings and ever caring ways. God bless you, Stacy
~ Stacy (Radway) Dole
11800 Eastridge Hill, Black Hawk, SD 57718 (7/24/2005)
.
~ Rae Crowser
Philip, SD (7/24/2005)
Your Mother was the most gentle woman I have ever known. I looked forward to seeing her and Raymond as much as I liked visiting you kids. She always made you feel like she really cared about what you had to say. She had the most beautiful smile--you could not be sad around her. She was so upbeat and always found only the best to say about people. I know all of you will miss her very much. She was the backbone of your family. She was always so proud of all of you, and always keeping us up to date on what all of you were doing. I never did tell you that I admired your father so much, as well. He was probably the most gentle man I knew as well. The the love they shared was enviable. Now they will be together again, and that means they are embraced and looking down on the fields and pastures they created on their farm and the love they created in their home. She will truly be missed by family and friends, and especially my Dad. He really felt a loss when your father passed. It really hit him harder than we realized it would. You will be in our thoughts and prayers always.
~ Paulette Schonberger
11112 N. Mayfair, Spokane, WA 99218 (7/24/2005)