Wayne S. Chord, 85, Sturgis, went home to be with the Lord on August 1, 2009.

Wayne was born July 6, 1924, at White Owl, SD, to Roy and Edith (Clayton) Chord.

He served during WWII in the US Navy as a Boatsman 2nd Class. He was severely injured when he was blown out of a lookout tower, breaking both feet and his hands.

Wayne had various jobs throughout his life including being a minister at Chadron, NE, and Union Center. He worked as a federal game warden, deputy sheriff, a government wheat inspector, an airplane pilot, and was a reservoir manager in North Dakota. He attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, earned his Seminary degree, and established and built several churches during his time in the ministry.

Wayne enjoyed hunting, telling stories, traveling, and spending time with his family. He had an undying love of the outdoors and wildlife, which led to going to work for the government as a federal game agent for many years, flying to Canada, banding geese, and preserving wildlife, hunting, and fishing.

His greatest joy was spending time with his family and "Bernie" is his first and only love.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Berniece (Raetz) Chord, Sturgis; two sons, Cliff (Arla) Chord, Sturgis, and Roy (Gretchen) Chord, Torrington, WY; two daughters, Jackquline (Thomas) Lewis, McCook Lake, SD, and Jeanette (Mark) Gearhart, Columbus, NE; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Paul Chord, Arizona, and Richard Chord, Jamaica; and five sisters, Doris Mickelson, Enning, Zoe Grotzke, Missoula, MT, Ilowee Owens, Tuscan, AZ, Iris Dau, Omaha, NE, and Ruth Mayer, Lagona Beach, CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Vernon, Everett, and Don.

Visitation will be Wednesday from noon until 8:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at Believers Fellowship Church with Pastor John Williamson officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.