Wayne L. Merrill, 76, of Hot Springs, SD, died May 26, 2007 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, SD.

Wayne was born in Hot Springs, SD on April 10, 1931 to Walter and Charlotte (Swanger) Merrill. He was raised on a ranch north of town and attended a country school during his grade school years. Wayne graduated from High School in Hot Springs.

On August 25, 1951 Wayne married Lona Cone, to this marriage three children were born, Debra, Rodney and Shari. As a young couple they moved to a small ranch north of town. Along with taking care of the ranch, Wayne eventually went to work for Louis Trent and became foreman for his construction company. Wayne later went into the construction business independently owning and operating Wayne's Building and Remodeling, for over 40 years. He also worked in real estate and obtained his brokers license.

In September 1995 he joined Golden West, as a member of the Board of Directors, a job he found most interesting that he held until his death.

He is survived by his wife, Lona; daughter, Debra (Robert) Powell of Hot Springs, SD; son, Rodney (Janine) Merrill of Stanford, MT; daughter, Shari Merrill of Colleyville, TX; two granddaughters, Vonna (Bryan) Laue of Colorado Springs, CO; Jordan Merrill of Stanford, MT; two great granddaughters, Bethany and Kimberly Laue; brother, Dale (Marlene) Merrill; nephew, Brian of Clydepark, MT; three step grandchildren and two brother-in-laws, Dawn Cone and Blaine (Edith) Cone.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother and a sister, Evelyn.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm, Friday, June 1, 2007 at McColley's Chapels of the Hills in Hot Springs, SD with Chaplain Richard Bershon officiating.

A memorial has been established as the Wayne Merrill Scholarship Fund for the Western Dakota Tech Foundation.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapels of the Hills in Hot Springs, SD. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.