Rush Funeral Home Logo
Logo Image
(605) 859-2400 You can call us 24/7
Newsletter Get new obituaries by email
Search Search through the obituaries

Funeral services will take place on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 11:00 AM (Mountain).

Hardingrove Community Church
Milesville, South Dakota

Milesville Cemetery
Milesville, South Dakota
A visitation will be held from 5-6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.



Print Obituary

In memory of

Donald "Donnie" Eymer

of Milesville, South Dakota, died on Monday, May 20, 2019 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 81

Donald Bruce Eymer was born on January 15th, 1938, in Pierre, South Dakota, the son of Bob and Laura (Hand) Eymer. As a young boy he attended grade school at Hardingrove Country School and had fond memories of feeding cattle with the team. Donnie later graduated from Philip High School before enlisting into the US Army in May of 1956. He served in Germany for a year and a half and was honorably discharged in May of 1958.

Upon returning to Philip, Donnie married his high school sweetheart Marcia Baker. The newlyweds ventured to Los Angeles, California where Donnie worked as a local truck driver for one year before having their first child, Jill. In 1961, they moved to the family place in Milesville, South Dakota where they had their two sons, Tim and Jim Bob.

Donnie influenced many ranchers in years to come as he raised his herd of Herefords and Red Angus. Donnie had several accomplishments including a school record for track, being the co-captain of the football team, and receiving a sharpshooter and good conduct medal while in the Army.

Donnie was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He attended many rodeos and sporting events—and even dance recitals. He enjoyed playing pitch and cribbage with his family and friends. Donnie participated in many community events, was a county commissioner for two terms, and became a serving member of the Harding Grove Evangelical Free Church. Donnie was committed in his faith and gave all his glory to the Lord. He is loved by many.

Survivors include his loving wife, Marcia Eymer; children Jill Eymer and friend Bryan of Sturgis, Tim Eymer and his wife Kim of Spearfish, and Jim Bob Eymer and his wife Kayla of Milesville; four grandchildren Brendon and Brittany Eymer, and Melanie (Nick) Kallander and Heath (Jamie) Williams; three great-grandchildren Nolan and Jaden Williams, and Jolee Kallander; one sister Sharon Coyle of Philip; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents Laura and Bob Eymer; a daughter Joan Eymer; and sisters Shirley Parsons and Diane Schurr.

A visitation will be held from 5-6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 23, at the Hardingrove Evangelical Free Church in Milesville, with Pastor Gary Wahl officiating.

Interment with military honors will be at the Milesville Cemetery.

Lunch and time of fellowship will follow at the Milesville Hall.

A memorial has been established.


Open the Memorial Folder


VISITATION
Wednesday, May 22 - 5-6 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE
Thursday, May 23, 2019 - 11:00 a.m.
Hardingrove Community Church
Milesville, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Gary Wahl

MUSIC
Judy Elshere - Pianist
Lana Elshere - Song Leader
Congregational Hymns
“It Is Well With My Soul”
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Special Music
Cory Elshere - Guitarist
Anita Sandal - Vocalist
“How Great Thou Art”
“Amazing Grace”

USHERS
Earl Parsons - Bryan Olivier - Tim Elshere - Phil Carley

PALLBEARERS
Ed Flemming - Bill Sandal - Jim O’Dea - Jerry Neville
Dick Hudson - Bobby Coyle - Jim Elshere - Bill Parsons

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Milesville Cemetery
Milesville, South Dakota

  • We were all so very sorry to learn about Donnie's passing. Such a kind, soft spoken cowboy! Truly a servant to his family, church, and community. We always enjoyed an encounter with this man! Bless his memory and our hearts are with you in prayer. ~ Vonda, Jason, Nick and Carson Hamill Milesville (5/24/2019)
  • Our prayers and thoughts to all of Donnie's family. ~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler Sturgis, S.D. (5/23/2019)
  • So very sorry for loss. Thoughts and prayers for you all. ~ Shelli Lind Gillette WY (5/22/2019)
  • Thanks for serving ~ A VETERAN (5/22/2019)
  • SD ~ Tucker and Bev Hudson Howes (5/22/2019)
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Donnie's family at this difficult time. I am so glad to have been able to get in a good visit with him in December. He caught me up on all the kids and grandkids, he was very proud of each of you. What a sweet gentle man who will be missed by the entire Milesville community. ~ Tom and Jane Aasby Piedmont SD (5/22/2019)
  • I am so sorry to see that Donnie has gone to be with the Lord. He quietly served shoveling the snow and other tasks at the church. He always was smiling and said there was no need to thank him he enjoyed doing the tasks. He was an example of the kind of servant I wish I was. It was an honor and privilege to have known Donnie and his family. ~ Chuck Maycroft Grand Island NE (5/21/2019)
  • I'm sorry to hear of Donnie's passing. I so enjoyed visiting with and getting to know him. I don't know if there was any man kinder than him. A smile always comes when I think of Donnie. I pray that the Lord wraps you in his loving arms bringing you comfort, strength and peace. ~ Nancy Haigh Vale, SD (5/21/2019)
  • We have enjoyed all the trail drives and brandings at Carley's with Donnie, he was sure a true cowboy. Hold on to all the memories, he will be missed. Take care. ~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (5/21/2019)
  • So sad to see this last night. He was a sweet, sweet man. Rest in peace Donnie, until we meet again!
    Hugs and prayers to you all, your faith will see you through.     ~ Hallie Konst Philip, SD (5/21/2019)
  • Was so sorry to hear of Donnie's passing. I really enjoyed working with him when he was a county commissioner. May your Faith carry you through the times ahead. Prayers to all the family. So sorry we won't be able to attend services as out of town on medical. Huga
    So sorry to hear about Donnie. I sure enjoyed working with him when he was a commissioner. In later years he would call and mention that Jill had Sawyer as a student in "Sturgis and we had a nice visit. Prayers for the days ahead. You will have many wonderful memories to share. Hugs So sorry we won't be able to come to services. Out of town on medical.     ~ Shirley Dennis Philip, SD (5/21/2019)
  • Thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I have many fun and funny memories of Donnie over the years. Wish I could be there to tell some of them. Rest in Peace Donnie ~ Dorie (Baker) Velder Grand Junction CO (5/21/2019)
  • Our sincere sympathy and prayers for this loss. May God comfort you and hold you close. ~ Mike and Shar Moses Philip, S.D. (5/21/2019)
  • Sincere condolences to Marcia and all the family. I have many good memories of times with Donnie. Made a few quick trips between Billsburg and Philip with him in his 1957 Black Ford Hardtop ! RIP Donnie. ~ Leo Gittings Nemo, SD (5/21/2019)
  • ~ Bonnie J. Moses Exeter, NE (5/21/2019)