Ronald "Ron" Merriman | 1938 - 2023
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Nov 27, 2023 | 4:23 PM / 292 views
PIERRE, SD –
Ronald Ray Merriman, 85, of Pierre, SD passed away on November 21, 2023, at home surrounded by his family. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5 at the First United Methodist Church in Pierre, SD, with burial at a later date at Howard, SD. For those unable to attend the service it will be live streamed on this obituary page.
Ron was born October 28, 1938, in Mitchell, SD, the son of Fred and Gladys (Haddorff) Merriman. He grew up and attended school in Howard graduating from Howard High School in 1956, he then went on to attend South Dakota State College.
Ron married Myrna Kay (Bamsey) Merriman on January 6, 1962, at Howard, SD. Ron and Kay would have been married for 62 years next month. They were high school classmates. Together they raised two children, Paul Charles Merriman of Pierre, SD and Kathy Rae Stevens of Sequim, Washington. They have three grandchildren, Morgan and Michael Merriman of Pierre, SD, and Kingston Stevens of Sequim, Washington.
Ron worked as an engineer spending his entire career with the South Dakota Department of Transportation retiring in 1999. In addition to his career with DOT, he also owned and operated Dakota Striping Service, where he spent many years providing pavement marking services across South Dakota and several other states.
Ron especially loved spending time in the Black Hills relaxing and working at his cabin near Lead. He loved hunting, fishing, and traveling. Ron enjoyed the outdoors and especially treasured his time with his family.
Ron was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge for 32 years. In 1956 Ron became an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Also, in 1956 he was a member of the Howard High School Championship Basketball team winning a State B title.
Remaining to cherish Ron’s memory are his wife, Kay; children Paul (Judy) Merriman of Pierre, SD and Kathy (Chris) Stevens of Sequim, WA; grandchildren Morgan and Mike Merriman of Pierre, SD and Kingston Stevens of Sequim, WA.; Brother Lyle (Margie) Merriman of Holland, MI. as well as several nieces and nephews.
Preceding Ron in death are his parents and his twin sister Bonlyn Gudahl.
