Obituary: Paul Merle Elshere

Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

Hardingrove Community Church
Milesville, South Dakota

Interment

Milesville Cemetery
Milesville, South Dakota

Visitation

A visitation will be held from 5:30 - 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 5:30 on Monday, August 6, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

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In memory of

Paul Merle Elshere

of Milesville, South Dakota, died on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 88

Paul Merle Elshere was born October 11, 1929 in Philip, South Dakota to Ruth (Eymer) and Paul Leroy Elshere. He was their first child who was then followed by Phyllis, Arlie, and Linda.

Paul attended school at Elshere School, Milesville School, and King School for his elementary years then attended Philip High School for two years. He dropped out of school and worked for two years then returned to school and attended Rapid City High School for his last two years. He graduated from there in 1949.

In 1951 he volunteered for the air force during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base for basic then was sent to Perrin Air Force Base. He attended two schools while at Perrin and was sent to Wyoming’s Warren Air Force Base and Scott Air Force Base in Illinois for more training.

While at Perrin Air Force Base, he met his future wife, Joy Moore, and they were united in marriage in February 1952 In Bonham, Texas, where they lived for a short time before moving to Dennison, Texas, closer to base. While they were living on base their son James “Jim” was born.

Because of the Korean Conflict ending in 1953, Paul was offered an “early out” which was readily accepted, and the family moved back to their beloved South Dakota to the ranch that he had missed dearly.

Paul had many interests in life including racing quarter horses, airplanes, and rodeo. He learned to fly when he was 18 years old and flew his airplane for the next 50 plus years.

The following years were filled with more children who included Timothy being born in 1955 and Andy in 1959. Paul continued to work with his Dad and brother Arlie on the ranch which was his pride and joy. Paul filled many positions around the community including being a 4-H leader, helped build the Milesville Hall and the Hardingrove Church. Paul was a member of the Hardingrove Evangelical Free Church of Milesville.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Joy of Philip; three sons: Jim (Lana) Elshere of Milesville, Tim (Judy) Elshere of Milesville, and Andy (Donella) Elshere of Faith; nine grandchildren: Misty (Ronny) Anderson of Miles City, Montana, Cory (Stacy) Elshere of Quinn, Ryan (Chrissy) Elshere of Elm Springs, J.J. (Lindsay) Elshere of Hereford, Scott (Tia) Elshere of Sioux Falls, Shawn (Thamy) Elshere of Rapid City, Casey (Rachelle) Elshere of Hot Springs, Cole (Kyndra) Elshere of Faith, Kami (Jace) Jenson of Ralph, South Dakota; 21 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Phyllis Hanrahan of Philip, and Linda (Don) Conner of Hot Springs; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Ruth, and one brother Arlie Elshere.

Paul loved his family and took great pride in each and every one of them. He will be missed by everybody.

A visitation will be held from 5:30 - 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 6, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 7, at the Hardingrove Community Church in Milesville with Pastor Gary Wahl officiating.

Interment will be at the Milesville Cemetery.

Open the Memorial Folder

VISITATION
Monday, August 6, 2018 - 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota

PRAYER SERVICE
Monday, August 6, 2018 - 5:30 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE
Tuesday, August 7, 2018 - 10:00 a.m.
Hardingrove Community Church
Milesville, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Gary Wahl

MUSIC
Sharon Olivier - Pianist
Grandchildren - Vocalists
“How Great Thou Art”
Wade White - Vocalist
“I Know”

SPECIAL POEM READING
Chase Anderson

USHERS
Chase Anderson - Riley Anderson
Carter Elshere - Trey Elshere

PALLBEARERS
Misty Anderson - Cory Elshere - Ryan Elshere
J.J. Elshere - Scott Elshere - Shawn Elshere
Casey Elshere - Cole Elshere - Kami Jenson

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Milesville Cemetery
Milesville, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

No, I'm not particularly sporty ~ Lauren lsrnjyfopl (11/6/2020)
So sorry for your loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers! ~ Ruth & Jerry Butters Gypsum, CO (8/17/2018)
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. He always had a smile on his face. ~ Bonnie Fitzgerald Memphis, TN (8/7/2018)
Joy and family, Our thoughts and prayers to you in this sad time. My dad has many happy memories and stories of spending time with Paulie at Uncle "Gunny" and Aunt Ruth's house. The video was a wonderful tribute to a life well lived. Memories are so precious. Hold them close. Gold Bless . ~ Molly (Neville) Kukal Garrison, MT (8/7/2018)
Our sincere sympathy to the family of Paul ~ Deloris Curtis Luken Mineola Tx (8/7/2018)
Prayers to the Elshere families. May the love of family and friends help comfort you in the days ahead. ~ David and Karen Webb Rapid City, SD (8/6/2018)
We are thinking of all you folks, hold on to all the memories. Paul was such a kind man, he had a smile for everyone. Take care of each other, he will be missed by many. ~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (8/6/2018)
we are so sorry for the loss of Paul...he touched so many lives and was loved by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this hard time.. may God bless you... ~ nancy neville philip (8/6/2018)
Our sympathy and prayers to the Elshere family. ~ Donald & Jolene Haynes Philip, SD (8/6/2018)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Paul and Joy were some of my favorite customers when I had my salon in Philip. I always enjoyed when they would stop in Nebraska for a trim going to and from Texas. Cherish the memories!!! ~ Don & Wanda Moses Fairmont, Nebraska (8/6/2018)
Thanks for serving ~ A VETERAN (8/6/2018)
My sincere sympathy to Joy and all the family ~ Elaine Staben Bozeman, MT (8/5/2018)
Always enjoyed a visit with Pauly! He told great stories-Jason especially appreciates the generation of people here that knew his father and grandparents. It is a comfort to hear people tell of the ones you loved and lost. We will be sad not to have this connection any longer. Prayers for Joy and family. We're thinking of you all. ~ Jason, Vonda, Nick and Carson Hamill Milesville (8/4/2018)
Cory, Shawn, and Family,
My Deepest Sympathy. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord Be With You Now and Always. Keep your memories close. ~ Fawna (Geigle) Goff Sturgis, SD (8/4/2018)
So sorry to hear about this! My condolences to the entire family. I will always cherish the memories I had with the Elshire family. Never forget them. ~ Chuck Jobgen Clontarf, Mn (8/4/2018)
Our thoughts and prayers go out to each of you at this sad time. I don't remember ever seeing Paul without a smile on his face and a glint in his eye! Treasure your memories ~ Tom and Jane Aasby Piedmont, SD (8/4/2018)
Sending prayers and deepest sympathy in this time of your loss ~ Charlotte Jobgen Sayre Canby, MN (8/3/2018)
So sorry to hear of Paul's passing. Our thoughts and prayers. ~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler Sturgis, S.D. (8/3/2018)
Keeping all of his family in our Thoughts and Prayers.
The Royer Family. ~ Lloyd Royer Waukee Iowa (8/3/2018)
We are so sorry to hear of Paul's passing. May God provide you with comfort, strength, and love to help you through this sad time. Hugs and prayers for all of you. ~ Mike and Shar Moses Philip, S.D. (8/3/2018)