John Merle Landon, 84, passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.  Visitation will be 3-5 PM on Sunday, April 8 at Wass Funeral Home, Beresford, SD.   Memorial services will be held 10 AM, Monday, April 9 at Beresford United Church of Christ.

John was born November 15, 1933 in Beresford, SD to Floyd Merle and Vanice (Peterson) Landon.  He grew up in the Beresford area, attended Komstad Country School and graduated from Beresford High School in 1951.  He married his high school sweetheart Diane Scroggs on October 24, 1953 and they were blessed with four children, Becky, Scott, Shelly and Jan.

John's family, friends and community meant the world to him.  He was a dedicated member of AA and Diane was with him as he received his 43 year chip this past March. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge for sixty years and took pride in being a member of the Gideons.  His competitive spirit made the Senior Games a natural fit and he was honored to be inducted into the South Dakota Senior Olympics Hall of Fame. He proudly served as a volunteer firefighter and later delivered Meals on Wheels.  John had a passion for selling cars and received many awards including the Ford 300 and 500 Club on multiple occasions…one of which took him and Diane to Hawaii in 1963.

Over the years, he acted as a father figure to his siblings and was a devoted and loving husband and caregiver to his wife, Diane.  He and Diane have been members of the Beresford UCC church since their wedding day and he faithfully served in many capacities.  John was a very proud supporter of his children and grandchildren in each of their activities.  He served as a coach, cheerleader, mentor and role model.  Whether in town or on the road, whether sports, fine arts or school achievements he was there to love, support and cheer them on.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Diane, Beresford, SD; his daughter, Becky (Thom) Koehler and their children, Sara (John) Buttemiller, Molly (Adam) Flynn, and Christie (Josh) Aberson; son, Scott (Sue) Landon, and their children, Paul (Rochelle) Landon, Jeremy (Rachael) Landon and Jonathan Landon; daughter, Shelly (Kent) Nelson and their children, Eric (Serine) Nelson, Amy (Brian) Lueking, Julie (Shaun) Odegaard and Cathy (Matt) Huhnerkoch; and daughter, Jan (Kurtis) Oleson and their daughters, Jessica and Mikayla Oleson; great-grandchildren, Natalie and Henry Buttemiller, Liam and Max Flynn, Collin, Kate and Andrew Aberson, Drew Landon, Kyle and Kelsey Landon, Jaina Nelson, Noah, Landon and Elijah Lueking, Macy Odegaard, Jordyn and Brek Huhnerkoch; John's siblings, Robert (AnnaBelle) Landon, Mavis (Marv) Hass and Yula (Jim) Weber; and Diane's sister, Joelle (Don) Stuessi and sister-in-law Fran Scroggs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Vanice; his brother and sister-in-law, Verlyn and Shirley; brother-in-law, Kenneth Scroggs; and nephew, Mike Weber.