Murel Stanley Peck, 97, Sturgis, died Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at Sturgis Regional Senior Care.

Murel was the 5th of nine children born to Frederick and Annie Peck on August 15, 1912, at their homestead five miles north of Highway 20 on the Harding-Perkins County line in northwestern South Dakota. In order of their birth, they were Henry, Sarah, Alice, Ray, Murel, twins Ellis and Elsie, and twins Floyd and Florence. Murel attended country schools through the 8th grade.

At the age of 15, Murel was sent to work mining coal and doing ranch chores for a neighbor, Chet Grey. On May 27, 1933, Murel was married to Doris Marie Week at her parents' home. After 14 years mining coal, Murel worked at building the Sorum Dam which was a WPA project.

As part of a sheep shearing crew, Murel worked locally and traveled as far away as Fresno, CA. Murel and Doris lived in several locations, but never moved away from the Strool community. Their only child, Arlie, was born in 1934. For a time they lived in Strool and Murel worked at the Vern Erickson Garage while continuing to shear sheep. In 1941, Murel bought the pool hall in Strool and owned it until 1945 when he sold it and bought the Pete Ogard General Store, which was also located in Strool. During those years, Murel delivered mail along routes to Zeona and Date. Murel had learned to fly and acquired a small airplane (J-3 Piper Cub later upgraded to an Aeronca) which he used to deliver mail and other necessities when roads were blocked with snow.

In 1947, Murel sold the store to Frank and Isabel Matson and bought the Julius Miller farm. For the rest of his working life, he was a farmer and rancher. Murel and his son, Arlie, purchased additional land over the years and built a fine herd of registered black Angus cattle. Murel enjoyed team roping with Arlie as his partner. He rode a light dapple grey quarter horse called Smokey. He was never too busy to help a neighbor.

In 1980, Murel and Doris retired to a new home in Bison, SD. For many years, Murel continued to help Arlie with the farming. He enjoyed yard work, planting trees and a garden to beautify their retirement home.

Family members still treasure the woodworking creations produced in his basement workshop. Murel served on the Bison town board and was active at the Bison Senior Center. He enjoyed going for coffee, bowling and playing cards with friends. Murel and Doris enjoyed several bus tours around the United States. Murel has received 50 year pins from the Masons and the Eastern Star. He and Doris were members at the Bison Presbyterian Church.

In 2000, Arlie retired and moved to Sturgis. Murel and Doris moved to an apartment in Sturgis to be near their son. In 2003, he and Doris moved to an assisted living facility in Spearfish. After Doris died on December 17, 2005, Murel lived with Arlie and Janice for a year before moving to Edgewood Vista Assisted Living in Spearfish. In June of 2009, Murel was hospitalized briefly in Sturgis and then moved to the nursing home in Sturgis where Arlie and Jan could visit more frequently.

He is survived by a brother, Ray of Spearfish; a sister, Florence Papka of Spearfish; son and daughter-in-law, Arlie and Janice; four grandchildren, Shirley Kirby of Arvada, CO, Russell Baldwin of Toledo, WA, Dawn Kohn of Cleveland, OH, and Mitchell Peck of Rock Springs, WY; and by seven great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death are his parents; his brothers, Henry, Ellis, and Floyd; and his sisters, Sarah, Alice, and Elsie.

Memorials have been established to the Bison Presbyterian Church and the Slim Butte Radio Fund.

Visitation will be Sunday, May 2nd from noon until 9:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held Monday, May 3, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Bison with Rev. Florence Hoff officiating. Burial will follow at Prairie City Cemetery.