Donald Mcelroy

Donald G. Don McElroy, age 77, Henry, died in Henry on Tuesday morning, June 30, 2009 of an apparent heart attack while working in the yard. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 3, 2009 at 2PM in the St. Henry's Catholic Church with the Reverend Doug Binsfeld officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Church cemetery. Music will be provided by Duane Smith, guitarist and Pam Albers as soloist with Dorothy Fuller as accompianist. Casketbearers will be Dennis Martenson, Gordon VanSickle, Rick Walford, Scott Campbell, George Stulc, Dave Farley, Lynn Hartley and Joel Montgomery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2009 from 5-7PM at the Furness Funeral Home at Clark and on Friday at the Church in Henry one hour preceding services. He was born on June 7, 1932 in Elrod Township, near Elrod, SD, the son of Raymond and Margaret (Johannsen) McElroy. He attended country school through the eighth grade and after his schooling helped on the family farm. He also worked for many years with the Maynard families in the potato fields. In October of 1952 he was inducted in to the US Army and served his country during the Korean Conflict until being honorably discharged on September 15, 1954. During his service stint he was awarded the Bronze Service Star. After his discharge he returned to this area and began employment in Watertown at the Ford garage and later worked several years at Montgomery Wards. He was employed by Telelect in Watertown for 19 years prior to his retirement. He was united in marriage to Rose Lenards on September 30, 1968 at Watertown. The couple has lived in Henry their entire married life. Many will remember Don sitting in a lawn chair by the front porch selling plants; they have operated the greenhouse in Henry for nearly 20 years. The 4th of July was a special holiday to him as he and Rose sold fireworks in Henry for 21 years. He always said People would drive by and honk, even though I didnt know them, I would wave. That speaks to who Don was, loved visiting with everyone, whether at his place or down at the station. He loved the outdoors, hunting in earlier years, and enjoyed fishing, especially ice fishing. Grateful for having shared his life is his wife Rose of Henry, children, Dale McElroy, Dave (Becky) McElroy all of Sioux Falls, Bob McElroy of Lincoln, NE and Patti (Brian) Nicholson of Pinckney, MI; grandchildren, Mara and Brenna; siblings, Roy McElroy of Sioux Falls, Derald Bill (Alta) McElroy of Rapid City, Floyd McElroy of Sioux Falls, Martha (Bob) Muller of Cedar, MN and Karyl (Gail) Day of Brighton, MI. Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Robert, in infancy. Arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where you can sign an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com