Murl Allen Patrick, age 85, of White, SD, died Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, June 27, at the United Methodist Church in White, SD, with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery at White.  Visitations will be from  5-7 PM on Monday, June 26, 2017, at the church. Eidsness Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.   Memorials are preferred to the United Methodist Church in White.

Murl was born February 27, 1932, in Sherman Township, Brookings County, South Dakota, to Benjamin and Irene (Smith) Patrick. He was raised on a farm and attended school through the 8th grade, then helped raise his siblings after his father's passing.  Murl worked at the Brookings sale barn for 18 years and sheared almost 800,000 head of sheep during a 60 year period.

Murl entered the United States Army on May 4, 1955, and was discharged Feb 4, 1957.  He married Bernita (Benning) on July 18, 1954, in White.  He was a member of the United Methodist Church in White.  He was also past president of The American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Association,  past president of The South Dakota Sheep Breeders Association, and was a member of the White Community Club.

Murl loved playing music for others.  He played for dances with the Town and Country Swingers Band and the Country Cousins Band. He enjoyed playing guitar and sang at the local nursing homes.    Murl was a 4-H leader for 15 years.

He is survived by: his wife, Bernita; sons:  Gene (Pam), Gary (Rhonda), Dale (Kay), James (Susan) and Danny (Sondra); a daughter, Jo; 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; siblings: Barbara (Luverne) Crosser, Norris (Corinne) Patrick, and LeRoy (Ann) Patrick; and a sister-in-law, Colleen Patrick.  He was preceded in death by his parents; a step-father, Leslie Grieme; sisters: Lorraine and Dorothy; a brother, Arlin, a daughter, Donna; grandsons: Adam and Brady; and a granddaughter, Ashley.