Edward Warren Vining, Jr., 68, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, August 4, 2012, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

There will be a visitation from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. A graveside inurnment service will take place Thursday, August 16, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with Chaplain Herbert Cleveland officiating. Friends and family are asked to gather at Kinkade Funeral Chapel at 9:30 a.m. prior to leaving for the cemetery.

Edward was born April 21, 1944, at Parkston, SD, to Edward H. and Martha (Wudel) Vining of rural Ethan, SD. He started school at Worthen # 4, rural Ethan. In 1953, he moved with his family to a farm Northeast of Mitchell, SD, and graduated from Plano High School in 1962.

He enlisted in the U S Navy and completed his basic training in San Diego, CA. He was trained in Aviation Mechanics at Navy Memphis, Memphis, TN, and was assigned to the Aircraft Carrier USS Bonhomme Richard. He served two tours of duty in the Western Pacific during the Vietnam War.

Ed married Janet Washburn on June 9, 1967, in Mitchell, SD, where they lived with their two children.

Ed worked for Hormel Co. in Mitchell, SD, from 1968 to 1980 and the Hormel Co. in Springfield, MO, from 1980 to 1982. He then worked various jobs in Carlsbad, NM, Port Angelis, WA, and Columbia, MO, before settling in the Black Hills of South Dakota. He had made his home at Sturgis, SD, for the past 20 years. He worked at the Veteran's Hospital in Fort Meade, SD, until he retired in 2004.

Ed is survived by his daughter, Vickie Strong, Mitchell, SD; son, Jason Vining, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Lacey Thury, Corey Muilenburg, Mike Vining, Derek Vining, Bryce Vining, and Alysha Vining; great-granddaughter, Aleah Vining; his mother, Martha Vining, Worthington, MN; brother, Thomas Vining, Artesia, NM; sisters, Helen (Glen) Ewing, Sedalia, MO, and Mary (Myril) Ferguson, Worthington, MN; his former wife, Janet Vining; and loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Ed enjoyed driving the back roads through the hills, visiting with friends, and was a proud veteran.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Mickey Montanio for the friendship, care and kindness he gave to our father.

A memorial has been established to the Disabled American Veterans (D.A.V.)

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