Earl Mettler

Celebration of Life Services for Earl Mettler, 76, formerly of McLaughlin, were held Monday, November 23, 2020 at Kesling Funeral Home in Mobridge.

Earl passed away Saturday, November 14, 2020 at the Faulkton Nursing Home in Faulkton.

Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge was in charge of arrangements.

Earl was born December 22, 1943 to Otto V. and Violet (Buechler) Mettler in Mobridge. He grew up on the family farm near Mahto and attended school at McLaughlin.

When he was 18, he went to California to work but soon returned to the family farm.

He married Della Schweitzer on December 14, 1968 in McLaughlin. To this union, two sons were born, Chad in 1969 and Derek in 1972.

The family made their home in McLaughlin where Earl worked with Curns and Sons Construction and later for Scherle Construction. Earl and Della were divorced in 1974.

While employed by the WEB Water Line in the 1980’s Earl was injured on the job and was unable to return to full time construction work due to having back surgery.

He continued to reside in McLaughlin where he did odd jobs around town and helped out his friends and neighbors when asked.

Earl’s passions were hunting and fishing, playing cards and fiddling in his garage on projects. He looked forward to opening day of every single hunting season whether it was dove, grouse, pheasant or deer. He had an abundance of fishing and hunting buddies throughout his life and he enjoyed passing that passion onto to his sons and his grandchildren. Earl was very proud of all of his grandchildren and attended their volleyball, basketball and football games to watch them play.

Earl had a heart attack opening day of dove season in 2011 and had triple bypass surgery but it didn’t slow him down for too long. Soon he was back to fishing and hunting.

In late 2018 Earl was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and moved to Timber Lake with Chad. After a few months it was determined he needed round the clock assistance and he was moved to the Faulkton Nursing Home. Earl passed away on opening day of West River deer season as a result of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Earl is survived by his two sons Chad (Tommie) of Timber Lake and Derek of Mahto; six grandchildren: Meagan (Alex) Mettler of Timber Lake, Kristie (Dustin) Lanke of Broadus, MT, Sydnee Mettler of Spearfish, Cole Mettler of Mahto, Cami and Carsyn Mettler of Black Hawk; a sister June (Jay) Anderberg of Wessington; and a brother, Lyle Mettler of McLaughlin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Otto Jr. and sister Joann Kellogg.

(Chad Mettler’s address is PO Box 409, Timber Lake, SD 57656.)