Merle E. Vaughn, age 65, of Mitchell, SD died Thursday March 5, 2009 at his home under hospice care. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Monday at First Reformed Church with burial at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 PM to 8PM Sunday at Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service beginning a 7 PM.

Merle E. Vaughn, son of Dallas and Dorothy (Bennett) Vaughn, was born June 15, 1943 in rural Colome, SD. He attended country school near Colome before moving to Gregory, SD with his family. Merle attended school in Gregory and graduated from Gregory High School in 1961.

Merle was united in marriage with Claudia Sparks on September 3, 1961 in Jamison, NE. The couple made their home in Gregory where Merle was employed as a meat cutter and butcher. He entered the US Army in 1966 and was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany for two years. While stationed in Germany the couples daughter Cathy, was born. Merle was honorably discharge in October of 1968. The couple returned to Gregory, SD and Merle continued his employment as a meat cutter. In 1971, Merle purchased a locker in Tripp, SD and in 1979 the couple moved to Clear Lake, IA. While in Clear Lake, Merle was employed as a meat salesman. In 1981 he was transferred with his company to Mitchell, SD and continued as a meat salesman. In 1993 Merle began his employment with Commercial Asphalt in Mitchell. He retired in 2008 due to his health.

He was a member of the Gregory Lions Club, and served as a volunteer fireman with the Tripp Fire Department. He truly enjoyed spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and his coffee buddies.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Claudia Kay Vaughn, Mitchell, SD; a daughter, Cathy Kaye (Neil) Bowman, Mitchell, SD; three grandsons, Nicholas J. Bowman and his fiance Jessica Salmonson, Mitchell, SD, Nathan V Bowman, Mitchell, SD, Noah K. Bowman, Mitchell, SD; a great granddaughter, Hayley V. Bowman, Mitchell, SD; eight brothers, Don (Lue) Vaughn, Colome, SD, Leo (Melva) Vaughn, Redfield, SD, Derald (JoAnn) Vaughn, Burke, SD, Lloyd (Sally) Vaughn, Mitchell, SD, Jim (Judy) Vaughn, Golden, CO, Jerry (Bev) Vaughn, Burke, SD, Dennis (Cindy) Vaughn, Dallas, SD, Randy (Jean) Vaughn, Newell, SD; a sister, Belle Ravellette, Philip, SD; two brother-in-laws, Fred Fode, Oracle, AZ, Steve Sparks, Austin, TX; four sister-in-laws, Mary (Gary) Schmidt, Martin, SD, Marsha Fyler, Martin, SD, Machele (Eldon) Vogt, North Platte, NE, Julee Miller, Ft. Worth, TX.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lois Fode; a brother, Billy Vaughn; and a brother-in-law, Les Ravellete.

In lieu of flowers memorial be directed to Avera Queen of Peace Hospice or the Heart and Sole Cancer Walk.