John N. Maher, age 81, of Mitchell, SD, died Sunday April 13, 2008 at Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota in Sioux Falls, SD. Celebration of Life services will be 10:30AM Friday at Holy Family Catholic Church with burial at Servicemens Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday at the Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM. John N. Maher was born May 21, 1926 near Morristown, SD to John and Elsie (Spielman) Maher. He graduated from St. Marys Catholic High School in Salem in 1943 and helped operate the family owned wheat farm and angus cattle ranch near Morristown. He graduated from South Dakota State University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture and Economics. A veteran of World War II, John served in the US Navy in the South Pacific and in the Philippines and Okinawa Campaigns. John was united in marriage with Pauline Polly Gossmann on September 20, 1948 in Lemmon, SD. He taught agricultural classes for three years in Artesian before beginning his career with the South Dakota State University Extension Service in 1953. John served as county agent in Sanborn County for nine years. In 1962 he became the Davison County Agent until 1972. John obtained his masters degree in Economics and Farm Management from SDSU, and from 1972 until retirement in 1986, he was Area Farm Management Specialist for 20 southeastern counties. The many recognitions he received over his 35 years of distinguished service included the National County Agents Distinguished Service Award, the SD Association of Soil and Conservation Community Service and Achievement Award, the SD Stockgrowers Recognition Award, and the SD Extension Specialist Distinguished Service Award. John was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church where he had served 18 years as a lay minister and had also served on the Holy Family School Board. He was a member of the SD Association and American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. John was also a licensed member of the SD Real Estate Commission. He was a former president of South Dakota County Agents Association and Epsilon Sigma Phi and was also chairman for SDCAA Professional Training and Insurance and Retirement Committees. John also served on the agricultural advisory board for Mitchell Area Vocational Technology School. He was a Post Commander of the American Legion and a member of the Lions and the Elks Club. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Polly, Mitchell, SD; a son, Robert (Denise) Maher, Belvidere, IL; two daughters, Patricia (Ed) Horgan, Carson City, NV, Joan (Doug) Henderson, Beresford, SD; a daughter-in-law, Adela Maher, Hot Springs, SD; nine grandchildren, Rob (Diane) Maher, Sioux Falls, SD, Ryan (Jessie) Maher, Bemidji, MN, Aaron (Ellie) Maher, Fargo, ND, Benjamin (Christy) Horgan, Reno, NV, Bryan Horgan, Carson City, NV, Nathan Henderson, Centerville, SD, Nicholas Henderson, Nashville, TN, Michael (Liz) Henderson, stationed with the US Army in South Korea, Joseph Henderson, Beresford, SD; two great grandchildren; seven brothers, Mick (Donna) Maher, Jimmy (Darlene) Maher, and Danny (Gloria) Maher, all of Morristown, SD, Paul (Claudette) Maher, Bismarck, ND, Jerome (Etta) Maher, Glendive, MT, Francis (Carol) Maher, Menoken, ND, Vince (Chris) Maher, Mobridge, SD; two sisters, Mary Joan Gauthier, Auburn, WA, Rose Mary (Gary) Fritz of McIntosh, SD. He was preceded in death by son, David; his parents; a brother, Patrick; and twin infant sisters. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Johns name.