**Please note that due unforeseen circumstances, the live streamed service for John D. Finley will be slightly delayed.  The live stream will begin shortly**

John Doyle Finley passed away peacefully at the Brookings Health System hospital on February 9, 2021.

John was born on August 11, 1935 on the family farm near Elkton, SD to Thomas "Dewey" and Louise Viola (Landsman) Finley.  John was the youngest of two boys and grew up near White, SD attending country school and one year as a Bobcat in Brookings, SD.  He returned to the family farm after his freshman year and received his GED while serving in the military.

On November 8, 1954, John enlisted in the US Army, proudly serving his country until his discharge from active duty in 1956.  Upon returning home, John married his wife, Joyce Virginia (Engelbrecht), on July 21, 1957, in Aurora, SD at Joyce's family home.  Together they raised four children.  Throughout their years together, the pair moved several times, including to Breckenridge, MN, and Sibley, IA, returning to take over the family farm in 1963.  In August 2001 they moved to Guyton, GA until their return to the Brookings and Volga area in 2008.  John spent nearly 50 years of his life in the White, Brookings, and Volga areas.

John was truly a jack of all trades.  He enjoyed working as a meat market manager and operating the family farm. After retiring from farming, John held a variety of transportation roles including school bus driver, which was one of his favorite positions. He loved working and reluctantly retired multiple times, even twice from the same business. Family strongly believe he only did so for the parties. John did not officially retire until the age of 83.

One of John's greatest loves in life was riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.  He was an active member of the Sioux River ABATE motorcycle club, through which he enjoyed working with Special Olympics and helping with the annual ride-through. He looked forward to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally every year and attended for the "last time" over a period of several years.  He also enjoyed dancing with Joyce and with his daughters who taught him a move or two.  He was a lifelong member of the Washington Masonic Lodge #111 serving as the highest level, Worshipful Master Mason, Secretary and lastly as Chaplain.

John was truly a friend to everyone he met.  As far as he was concerned, there were no strangers, only friends he hadn't met yet.  John enjoyed visiting with his friends and family, meeting new people, and socializing in any situation.  John's greatest joy in life was his family, with whom he loved spending time. He was most content when he was surrounded by his entire family hearing their laughter and truly enjoying each other.  He will be remembered for his fun-loving, kind, accepting, and positive attitude.  He was truly one-of-a-kind and will be missed by his many friends and family members.

John is survived by his wife, Joyce and his four children, Allen (Janet) Finley; Cindy (Kris Bishop) Finley; Sheila (Erik Voss) Finley; Becky (Dale) Meyer; his six grandchildren and one great-grandchild; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; cousins, and many relatives.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother William; father-in-law Elmer; mother-in-law Evelyn, two infant children and many other family members and friends who he considered part of his family.

Following COVID guidelines, A private funeral service will be held for the immediate family only on Saturday, February 13, 2021, at 1:00 P.M. at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.  The service will be live-streamed on the Eidsness Funeral Home website beginning at the time of service.  Burial will immediately follow the service at Greenwood Cemetery in Brookings.  Following the burial, a virtual time of fellowship will be held via Zoom, beginning at approximately 2:30 p.m., with the instructions to join the meeting found below.  A public visitation will be held on Friday, February 12, 2021, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.  A Masonic service will be held following visitation on Friday evening.  Mask wearing will be required for entry into either service, and visitors are expected to respect all social distancing guidelines.

The virtual time of fellowship will ideally be a time for friends and family to share their favorite stories of the time that they shared with John.  We ask that everyone please remained "muted" on the Zoom call until they take their turn to speak, at which time they may "unmute".

To join the virtual time of fellowship, please click on the following link:
JOIN FELLOWSHIP MEETING