John A. Rucastle, 87, Spearfish and formerly of Whitewood, died Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at his residence in Spearfish.

Visitation will be Sunday from noon until 9:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 2, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood with Reverand David Baer officiating. Burial will be at the Whitewood Cemetery at a later date.

John was born October 8, 1921, at the family ranch northeast of Whitewood to John and Lillian (West) Rucastle. He farmed the home place until he was 38 and then moved to Minnesota where he farmed near Luverne for a year. John returned to South Dakota and worked at Pluma at the Post and Pole factory until a fire destroyed the business. He went to work for Homestake and spent six years on the crusher before transferring to the mechanical shop. John retired after 24 years.

John married Mary Seymour Lee in Sturgis on June 12, 1958. They lived in Whitewood for a total of 43 years before moving to Spearfish in 2000.

John was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood and the Whitewood and Spearfish Senior Citizens Centers.

He donated many years of volunteer labor to the Whitewood Cemetery. He also enjoyed woodworking in his spare time.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Rucastle, Spearfish; his children, Carol Gritts, Spearfish and her children, Brian (Gail), Jeromie, Carleton (Jessica), and Trevour; Donald (Donna) Lee, Sturgis and his children, James (Kelly), Todd (Heather), Robert (Venus), Shonna (Shannon), and Cheyenne (Brandon); Rose Lee, Eagle Butte, and her children, Nadine, Jordan, and Danielle; and Barbara Lee-Bachand, Sturgis; twelve grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother and four sisters.

Memorials have been established to the Whitewood and Spearfish Senior Citizens Centers, and the Spearfish Ambulance Service.