Merlin D. Haber, age 83, of Brookings, died Thursday, December 3, 2009, at the Brookings Hospital. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 8, at the United Methodist Church in White, with interment in Fairview Cemetery. Visitations will be from 4-8 P.M. Monday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.

Merlin Dean Haber was born August 28, 1926, at Brookings, South Dakota, to Hortie H. and Olive (Simmons) Haber. He attended grade school at Sherman District No. 105, and he graduated from White High School in 1944. After high school he began farming with his father, and later his brother, Harold. In 1942 he began dating Margaret Walker, and they were married on June 19, 1949. They lived with Merlins parents for a short time until they built a new home on the same location. They have lived in Brookings for the past 17 years.

Merlin was a member of the United Methodist Church, and sang in the choir. He served as financial secretary of the church for 20 years and was vice-president of the church building project. He was a member of the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs. Merlin loved his family and church, and enjoyed visiting with friends. He volunteered at Brookview Manor, helping with bingo and bus trips. He also enjoyed playing pool, walking, and picking strawberries.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret, of Brookings; a son, Dennis L. Haber, of Brookings; two daughters: Jeanine R. (Terry) McKeown, of Brookings, and Marsha A.(Craig) Leite, of Volga; four grandchildren: Jessica A. (Eric) Loos, Brett M. McKeown, Mallory A. Leite, and Tyson E. Leite; two great-grandchildren: Abby and Jack Loos; a brother, Harold (Marlys) Haber, of White; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.