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Funeral services will take place on Monday, August 8, 2022 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

Belvidere Community Church
Belvidere, South Dakota

Belvidere Community Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota
One hour preceding the services on Monday.



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In memory of

Syd Iwan

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at the Kadoka Nursing Home at the age of 76

Sydney Oliver Iwan was born September 21, 1945, in Murdo, South Dakota, the son of Oliver and Stella (Brower) Iwan. Syd grew up on the Iwan ranch in northwest Mellette County and attended his first few years of school at home with his mother as his teacher. Later, he attended Murdo School and graduated from Murdo High School in 1963. During his grade school and high school years, he learned to play the piano and became an accomplished pianist.

After high school, Syd attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls. He graduated from college in 1967 acquiring two BA degrees, one in business administration and the other in music.

After college, Syd joined the Navy. He became a supply officer spending most of his service aboard the destroyer Samuel N. Moore DD-747. During this time, he became good friends with the captain of the ship, Stanislaus Sowinski. Stanislaus later became a well-known Southwestern artist. Syd owned many of his paintings. Syd left the Navy in 1971 with the rank of First Lieutenant. He returned to his family’s ranch and spent the rest of his life in the ranching business. The ranch later extended across the White River into Jackson County.

On June 22, 1979, Syd married the local country school teacher, Corinne Wilson. In 1986, Corinne and Syd welcomed their son, Chance Oliver Iwan. Chance was born with developmental disabilities and was later diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. Because of Chance’s medical needs, the family moved to Philip in 2010.

Throughout his life, Syd had several hobbies and interests. He did professional photography for many years. This included weddings, graduations, and scenic photography. He sold his scenic photos at local establishments as well as at the Mt. Rushmore gift shop.

Another interest was in writing which led to a weekly article entitled “Lookin’ Around.” He wrote these articles for over 30 years, and they appeared each week in several area newspapers.

Playing the piano always remained as Syd’s favorite thing to do. He played at weddings, funerals, and other special occasions. At some events he was both the photographer and the pianist. Syd belonged to the Belvidere Community Church and was the main pianist. He rarely missed a Sunday or special event.

Syd served as Church secretary, treasurer, and elder until recent years when his health began to deteriorate. He also was the last Commander of the American Legion Post in Belvidere.

Syd died Thursday, August 4, 2022, at the Kadoka Nursing Home.

Syd is survived by his wife, Corrine and his son, Chance, both of Philip; daughter Jessica (Iris) Iwan of Pierre, grandsons Mellette, Tim and Taylor Bartlett of Pierre; sister, Patricia (Gary) Jones of Huron; nephews Lee (Brenda) Jones of San Antonio, TX, Scott (Laura) Jones of Huron, and Jason (Tasha) Jones of Pierre; and his long-time friend, Lanny Mickelson, of San Diego, California.

Syd was preceded in death by his parents, Stella and Oliver Iwan, and his son, Ira Sharpfish.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. August 8, at the Belvidere Community Church, with Pastor Gary McCubbin, Chuck Willard and John Kaiser officiating.

Interment with military honors will be at the Belvidere Cemetery.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 162 Philip, SD 57567.

FUNERAL SERVICE
Monday, August 8, 2022 - 10:00 a.m.
Belvidere Community Church
Belvidere, South Dakota

OFFICIATING
Pastor Gary McCubbin
Chuck Willard - John Kaiser

MUSIC
Ellen Valburg - Pianist
Congregational Hymns
“God Leads Us Along” #333
“Jesus Paid It All” #114
Special Music
“Midnight Cry”
“I Bowed on My Knees”

USHERS
George England - Bud Manke

PALLBEARERS
Mellette Bartlett - Taylor Bartlett
Joe Wishard - Scott Jones
Lee Jones - Jason Jones

INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Belvidere Community Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota

  • Syd took our wedding pictures on January 4. 1982 at the Methodist church in Murdo. SD. It was the coldest day in the century literally. Our deepest sympathy to his family & friends. Mark & Barb Strait ~ Barb Strait White River. SD (8/10/2022)
  • Sincere condolences to Corrine and Family. Syd was a very special person in my life. In high school he accompanied me numerous times
    when I sang solos for events. We always had great fun together. When I graduated, I went to Augustana College and then Syd came a couple years later and we had the opportunity there to preform together again. Out most fun songs we would do was "Teddy Bears Picnic". I am honored that I was able to stop and visit with him in Kadoka when I was in South Dakota for the all-school reunion in July, 2022. It was great to give him a hug again. He was a very dear friend.     ~ Diane Wheeler Olson Tucson AZ (8/10/2022)
  • To Corinne and family: I am so sorry for your loss of Syd. What a shock when I opened up my computer to Rush's page just now! Like Marjorie Street Cook, Syd and I go back a few years also! I also played the piano and organ many years at the Belvidere Church, especially after Syd and Margorie left for college, etc. And when he moved back home (and I was the one who had moved on), when I was back to Belvidere visiting church, Syd always included me in on the piano, while he moved to the organ or electric piano for the service. We played many impromptu duets for offering and postlude. I will always treasure those times of providing music at church with him. (I even have a couple of hymn arrangement books that he passed on to me.) May you have many "remember whens" and precious memories as you visit with friends and family during this difficult time. May Jesus comfort your hearts, as only He can do. In Christ, Beryl (Addison) Geer ~ Beryl (Addison) Geer Gillette, Wyoming (8/8/2022)
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. He was a blessing to all of us that were able to spend some time with him. ~ Jeff and Emily Sanderson Eden Prairie, MN (8/8/2022)
  • Thank you to all of you who have supported Tom's sister, Corinne, during Syd's illness. Unfortunately, we have not been able to visit Corinne for a number of reasons but we understand that many in your community have done much for her. How wonderful it is to know that the community has such helpful members. Our thoughts our with Corinne and we hope she will be able to continue to count on your support in the future. Corinne, it was a beautiful and meaningful service. I am glad we were able to watch it on-line. ~ Tom and Kathryn Wilson Houston, Texas (8/8/2022)
  • My thoughts and prayers to Corinne and Chance, and to Pat and Gary and family. Your kindness in including me when you were with Syd will always be remembered. ~ Lanny Mickelson San Diego, California (8/8/2022)
  • SD ~ Jeri Olson Belle Fourche (8/8/2022)
  • I am Sydney's cousin, my Mom an Iwan, sister of Ollie, Sydney's Dad. I have lived all of my life after college in places far from South Dakota, but share with Sydney some great loves, playing the piano and organ, the beauties of nature, and writing columns. It seems to have been in the genes. I know Syd will be greatly missed. My condolences to Corinne and Chance and other family members. ~ Verna Benham Kerrville, Texas (8/7/2022)
  • Our sincere condolences to Corrine and family. We always enjoyed his music; what a talented man. ~ Carol and Darrell Iwan Gillette, WY (8/7/2022)
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. He was a blessing to all of us that were able to spend some time with him. ~ Jeff and Emily Sanderson Eden Prairie, MN (8/7/2022)
  • I would have to say that, though Syd and I were very different in personality and interests and abilities, he reached out to me; and we became good friends. Though he was "a country boy," because of high school, his family had a town house that was just "up the street" from my family house. He would periodically invite me to spend the weekend with him at the ranch. Since we both played the piano, we "worked up" some piano duets and played in contests and won some prizes. Sad was a great friend; and since he is a believer in Jesus, I am confident that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." I thank Syd for his friendship, and I look forward to joining him again in heaven. ~ Bob Thune Omaha, NE (8/6/2022)
  • Syd took our wedding pictures on January 4. 1982 at the Methodist church in Murdo. SD. It was the coldest day in the century literally. Our deepest sympathy to his family & friends. Mark & Barb Strait ~ Barb Strait White River. SD (8/6/2022)
  • Thanks for your service! ~ A Veteran (8/6/2022)
  • Andrew & I are very sorry to learn of Syd's passing. He took our wedding pictures at Valentine, NE on Oct 23, 1982 at the Berean Church. He did an excellent job of our pictures. Thank you. We send our sympathies. Sincerely, Linda Meyer ~ Linda Meyer Carter, SD (8/5/2022)
  • Chris and I are so sorry to hear of Sid passing. We loved to hear his piano playing and he was such a wonderful baker, always bringing scrumptious goodies to church, and he was a kind and gentle man. Our prayers are with his family. ~ Chris and Diana Elwood Volborg, MT (8/5/2022)
  • We are sorry to hear of Syd's passing. We will miss his music. May he rest in peace. ~ Oliver & Gayle Carson Kadoka,SD (8/4/2022)