Merle Elmer Wevik, age 72, died April 8, 2023 at the Sioux Falls Veterans Hospital. He was born March 28, 1951 in South Dakota to Elmer and Mildred Wevik. Merle attended Brule Rural School, fall of 1957, and graduated spring of 1965. He was confirmed at Roseni Lutheran Church. He attended High School in Beresford, where he graduated Class of 1969.

He attended Universal Trade School in Omaha, Nebraska. Merle then enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1971. He was stationed in San Diego, CA and participated in two tours of Vietnam. He was released from active duty, and transferred to naval reserve, at the Naval Station in San Diego, then was honorably discharged in May 1974. Merle worked for Arcwell Corporation in San Diego from 1974 to 1975, repairing or replacing various types of machinery. He worked for San Diego Marine Construction, San Diego CA in 1975 to 1976, overhauling naval vessels. He worked for A & E Machine and Supply in California 1976 to 1977, where he disassembled, repaired, replaced/realigned different types of auxiliary machinery.

Merle moved to Salt Lake City, UT to work at National Lead Industries, a Chlorine Plant, from 1977 to 1979 as a maintenance repairman. He moved to Green River WY, working as a maintenance mechanic from 1979 to 1980. Merle returned to Utah, working at US Mag, LLC in Rowley, as a millwright from 1980 to 2013, when he retired, and moved back to South Dakota to live on the family farm, and place of birth. He worked part time for Valley Ag as a seasonal worker delivering fertilizer, doing some fabricating in the spring and fall of 2014 and the spring of 2015.

Merle enjoyed his time living on the farm, riding his ranger, and visiting the neighbors. He liked to go hunting in the spring and the fall and meeting with friends whenever possible for lunch.

He is survived by his partner, Margaret Ticktin; his sisters, Jeanette Smolik of Beresford and Janice Smith (Roger) of Marshalltown Iowa; and his nieces and nephews. Merle was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Mildred Wevik; his nephews, Matthew Smolik and Tim O'Connor.

Memorial services will be 2PM Friday, April 14, 2023 at Roseni Lutheran Church, 47226 307 ^th Street, Beresford, SD. Burial with military honors will follow at the church cemetery.