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In memory of

Darwin "Smokey" Shepard

of Wall, South Dakota, died on Saturday, January 7, 2006 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City at the age of 76

Darwin N. "Smokey" Shepard was born June 2, 1929, in Wessington, South Dakota, the son of Harold and Tillie (Norby) Shepard.

Smokey was united in marriage to Lydia Huffman on March 23, 1951, at Pierre, South Dakota.

Smokey served in the United States Army from November 1950 until his honorable discharge in August 1952. While serving in the Army, he spent sixteen months in Korea.

After his discharge, Smokey went to work at West River Electric Association from 1953 to 1965.

Smokey and Lydia bought Joe’s Gas and Propane business in 1972, which they owned until his retirement in 1991.

Survivors include his wife Lydia of Wall; a son Randy Shepard and his wife Debbie of Wall; a daughter Vickie Willuweit and her husband Curt of Wall; four grandsons Brian Shepard and Brady Shepard, both of Las Vegas, Nevada, Keith Eisenbraun of Wright, Wyoming, and Ryan Eisenbraun of Rapid City; a granddaughter Heather Beck of Selby, South Dakota; three great-grandchildren; a sister LaVonne Meyers of Huron; a very special friend Doug Crown of Wall; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Smokey was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, and one brother.

Visitation was held 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 9, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Tuesday.

Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 10, at the United Methodist Church in Wall.

Interment with military honors was in the Wall Cemetery.

A memorial is established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Tuesday, January 10, 2006 2:00 p.m.
United Methodist Church
Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY
Rev. Preston Brown
MUSIC
Carol Hahn - Pianist
Congregational Hymns
"Amazing Grace" #504
"Old Rugged Cross" #378
USHERS
Bill Leonard – Jerry Johannesen – Bernard Foster
PALLBEARERS
Ryan Eisenbraun – Keith Eisenbraun
Gary Beck – B.J. Dartt
Doug Crown – Brady Shepard
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICES
Tuesday, January 10, 2006 2:00 p.m.
United Methodist Church
Wall, South Dakota

  • I'm so sorry to hear about Smokey. He was such a great person. Really have alot of fond memories, especially all the car races. He was like another Dad to me. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. ~ Bonnie, Tommy, Amber and Nicole Ramirez Douglas, Wyoming (1/7/2006)
  • We were so sorry to hear about Smokey. We send our Sincere Sympathy to you and your family at this time. Wall has lost a great guy. ~ Kenneth and Joan Renner Prescott, AZ (1/7/2006)
  • Keith and Natasha,
    Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are so very sorry for our loss!!     ~ John, Cathie, Wade, Austin and Drew Printz Wright, Wyoming (1/7/2006)
  • I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I will always remember working at the Wall Auto Livery and Smokey stopping for coffee in the morning before he started deliveries. Then he would be back in the afternoon and him and Al and I would play gin rummy. They seem to always take my money but we sure had fun. My best regards to the entire family!
    Tom Carmichael     ~ Tom Carmichael P.O. Box 293, Spencer, NE 68777 (1/7/2006)
  • You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you all! ~ Pam (Eisenbraun) Blankenship & Family Sioux Falls, SD (1/7/2006)
  • You are in our prayers and thoughts at this time. ~ Connie (Clements) Richards & Colleen Clements 274 Jacolyn Dr. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405 (1/7/2006)
  • I will always remember how Smokey used to come and deliver gas at our farm/ranch when I was a little girl. I always enjoyed seeing him. May the Lord Be With You Now and Always. You are in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Fawna Geigle 431 S. Harrison, Enid, OK 73703 (1/7/2006)
  • So sorry for your loss ~ Betty Bryan Rapid City, SD (1/7/2006)
  • I was really sad when I heard that Smokey had passed away. I know it will be hard for the family but they should be comforted knowing that he is in a better place. I will always remember him, joking around with me and he always had a smile on his face. We will really miss you Smokey. ~ Gloria (Mortensen) Whetstone 5011 Milton, Gillette, WY (1/7/2006)