George Merlin O'Haver was born November 17, 1909 at Paige, NE – son of George Henry O'Haver and Mary Belle Penwell, the first of five children, brother Manford was born July 17, 1911, sister Mary Helena born in 1918 and twins Loretta and Loren born March 25, 1920 - passed away September 14, 2010 at Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care.

He moved with his parents to Wyoming in 1912 where his grandparents had homesteaded near Indian Kara Mountain in 1908. In 1914 his parents homesteaded at Sundance, WY. He attended grade school in country schools. After graduating from the 8th Grade his Dad said he had enough of school and as he was a good hand on the ranch he was needed there. The teacher who had been the school superintendent said Merlin was a good student with a lot of potential and that he should attend high school. Merlin said he wanted to go to high school and after visiting with the teachers, his Dad finally said Merlin could go to high school. He would ride horses from the homestead to high school in Sundance, often breaking the horses along the way. He also had a trap line and would divide the catch with his Dad and brother and earned enough money to buy a new saddle.

During his last year of high school following graduation there was a school dance and a young lady who was taking normal training to be a teacher was at the dance. In Merlin's words, "5 ft. 6 inches, blue eyes, blond hair and about 110 pounds, she sure looked good to me". Merlin continues, "I liked all the girls, but none like her". He graduated from high school in 1930 excelling in sports. He worked farming, ranching and breaking horses. He worked for West Bridge & Construction Co. on a highway between Upton and Moorcroft, WY, driving a 4 horse team Fresno and living in a tent. He also tracked coyotes, muskrats, and weasels, selling over 200 muskrats one winter.

In May of 1933 he enlisted in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) at Pole Mountain, WY which was under the direction of the War Department Ft. F. E. Warren, Cheyenne, WY. In November of 1933 he moved with the CCC to Socorro, NM where he worked as a trapper and then a cook. Merlin states the cook they had was a "terrible cook, he had good food but he was an expert at spoiling it". Merlin expressed disgust one day and the Captain of the Camp heard him, came over and said – "Do you think you can do any better?" Merlin replied, "Well I couldn't do any worse and I can eat my cooking." The next morning he was in the kitchen and soon cooking for the officers every day; with an $11.00 per month raise. May of 1934 he was relocated to Clovis, NM, as a cook, until his discharge when he returned home to WY. Cooking became a lifetime enjoyment.

Merlin married Lillian Nielsen on July 1, 1935 in Deadwood, SD after nearly a 7 year courtship while he worked various jobs and she taught school. They moved to the Nielsen Ranch on the Belle Fourche River that fall. During the summer of 1936 he farmed on the Earl Holcomb Ranch on a "share" basis. Merlin also worked on at the WPA (Work Program Administration) on the Deer Creek Road Project.

In July of 1937 they moved to the Dillon Ruland Ranch. Their only daughter Dorothy O'Haver Kaiser was born in Spearfish, SD on May 13, 1939. Merlin also worked at the Harvey Davis Sawmill, thinning timber for the National Forest Service. In July of 1941 they moved to Beulah, WY on Sand Creek where he worked for the Homestake Mining Company. In June of 1942 the family moved back to the Nielsen Ranch where Lillian taught at the Mona School and in 1944 the family moved to the O'Haver Ranch; Lillian taught at the Black Flatt School. In 1946 they bought the Ruland Store and received the commission for the Alva Post Office. During these years Merlin also worked helping ranchers, hauling lumber from the Milt Kaiser Sawmill to Belle Fourche, raised cows and put up hay along the highway. They retired from the store and Post Office in 1978 after 32 years.

In August of 1942 Merlin and Lillian were baptized in the Belle Fourche River and then confirmed at the foot of Devils Tower as members of the Community of Christ. In 1951 Merlin was ordained as a Priest in the church; in 1959 as an Elder and on March 29, 1964 as a High Priest and on April 9, 1964 as an Evangelist in Independence, MO. On September 2, 1989 Merlin officiated at the marriage of his granddaughter LaDola Kaiser to Roger Rhoads, one of many official occasions during his ministry.

Merlin traveled to many youth camps and church reunions in a number of states. His faith was strong and brought him through many hardships, the loss of a home to fire, a cyclone and many difficult times. He was an avid stamp and coin collector; he worked diligently to complete picture puzzles, he enjoyed reading, watching sports on TV and a good conversation.

Lillian passed away December 30, 1991. Merlin continued to live in Alva, spending winters in Belle Fourche with his daughter and son-in-law Dorothy and Vincent Kaiser, later making that his full time home. His mind and his faith remained strong; he moved into the Belle Fourche Regional Care August 25, 2010.

He is survived by his daughter Dorothy Kaiser, his granddaughter LaDola (Roger) Rhoads of Brighton, CO and his grandson David Kaiser who lives in Alva. He is also survived by his sister Loretta Durfee of Sundance. He was preceded in death by his wife Lillian December 30, 1991, son- in-law Vincent Kaiser February 2, 2008 and brothers Manford and Loren and sister Mary Helena.

He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and a host of friends. He never knew a stranger, greeting everyone he met with "Hi there" and a firm handshake.

Visitation will be from 6-8 P.M., Friday, September 17, 2010 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, September 18, 2010 at the Hulett Civic Center in Hulett, Wyoming. Burial will take place at the Alva Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to benefit the Alva Cemetery.