Murl Allen Patrick, 85, of White, died Wednesday, June 21, 2017.
Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in White. Burial is in Fairview Cemetery at White. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. Monday at the church. Eidsness Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Memorials are preferred to the United Methodist Church in White.
Murl was born Feb. 27, 1932, in Sherman Township, Brookings County, to Benjamin and Irene (Smith) Patrick. He was raised on a farm and attended school through the eighth grade, then helped raise his siblings after his father's death. Murl worked at the Brookings sale barn for 18 years and sheared almost 80,000 head of sheep during a 60-year period. Murl entered the United States Army on May 4, 1955, and was discharged Feb. 4, 1957.
He married Bernita (Benning) on July 18, 1954, in White.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church in White. He was also past president of The American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Association, past president of The South Dakota Sheep Breeders Association, and was a member of the White Community Club.
Murl loved playing music for others. He played for dances with the Town and Country Swingers Band and the Country Cousins Band. He enjoyed playing guitar and sang at the local nursing homes. Murl was a 4-H leader for 15 years.
He is survived by his wife, Bernita; sons: Gene (Pam), Gary (Rhonda), Dale (Kay), James (Susan) and Danny (Sondra); a daughter, Jo; 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lorraine and Dorothy; a brother, Arlin, a daughter, Donna; grandsons, Adam and Brady; and a granddaughter, Ashley.
