Visitation will begin at 6:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church on Monday, Sept 5.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 6 at Zion Lutheran Church in Chamberlain.

Graveside services with military rites will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Riverview Cemetery in Chamberlain, SD.

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Merle Eugene Ketelhut passed away on September 1, 2022, at the Sanford Care Center in Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Merle was born on March 16, 1930, in Chamberlain to parents Emil and Frieda (Drafahl) Ketelhut.  He was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Ola.  When the church closed, his family joined the Zion Lutheran Church in Chamberlain, where he remained a member for the rest of his life.  He attended Pretzer County school and graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1948.  He played football and basketball, and at the urging of his older sister Betty, got involved in chorus, which gave him a better appreciation of music.  He attended one year of college at South Dakota State University, where he was a member of the football team, and then decided to return to the family farm.  In 1952, he was drafted into the service and served two years with the United States Marine Corps.  He was originally stationed at Camp Pendleton in California, and then spent six months in Japan.  Merle married Nila Korzan on November 17, 1957, at Zion Lutheran Church.

Merle was a hard-working, innovative farmer.  He wasn't afraid to implement new farming practices or equipment.  He was one of the first to plant soybeans when it was thought they wouldn't do well in this area.  When big round balers became available, he was one of the first in Brule County to purchase one.  He built two big barns and had a successful farrow-to-finish hog operation until 1975, when a devastating tornado did extensive damage to the buildings.  In 1976, center-pivot irrigation systems were installed in this area, and Merle operated two systems for several years.

Merle enjoyed hunting, fishing, and sports when he was younger.  In his later years, he and Nila fell in love with golf and spent many enjoyable hours on the golf course with friends and family.  He especially enjoyed his weekly outings with the "Old Guys" at the Chamberlain County Club, which consisted of a little golf and a lot of bragging and harassment!  Merle and Nila also enjoyed playing cards.  When he was semi-retired, they went on several fun trips, one of which as an Alaskan cruise to celebrate their 50 ^th anniversary.

Merle was survived by sons Brian (Tammy), Mark (Terice), and James (Natalie), grandchildren Kayla (Matt) Coronado, Nathaniel (Carli) Ketelhut, Colton (MiKayla) Ketelhut, Tate (Brooklynne) Ketelhut, Laurel Ketelhut (girlfriend Kasey), and Abigail Ketelhut (boyfriend Logan), and great-grandchildren Carter, Ethan, and Zachary Coronado and Lauren Ketelhut.  He was proceeded in death by his parents, a brother Ivan, sisters Betty Callen and Genevieve Yocum, and brothers-in-law Joe Callen and Ralph Yocum.

Merle loved his family and his Lord.  The family is extremely blessed to have had him for as long as they did and are grateful that he is now with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.