Eldon Dale Harder, 72, Spearfish, died Monday, October 6, 2008, at the Ft. Meade VA Hospital.

Visitation will be from 8:00 a.m. to time of services at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2008, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Military honors will be provided by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard.

Eldon was born January 8, 1936, at Wells, KS, to William and Veva (Pence) Harder. He grew up in Oakhill, KS, where he graduated from high school. Eldon was a professional umpire and worked AAA baseball games throughout the US until joining the Army. He also attended 2 years of college where he played football.

Eldon served his country in Korea, Germany, Kansas, Texas, and several other posts. He retired from Fort Bliss, Texas, as a Master Sargent. He was employed as a civilian for several years on missile and radar stations at White Sands in the New Mexico desert. He moved from El Paso, TX, to Spearfish, SD, in 2005 to be near his children and grandchildren.

Eldon enjoyed leatherwork and his grandkids.

Survivors include his daughters, Pat (Larry) Hardin, Spearfish, and Ruth (Phil) Wardell, Havre, MT; one brother, Donald Harder, Oakhill, KS; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial has been established to the Western Hills Humane Society in Spearfish.