Merlyn Aman was born on March 28, 1929, and spent his childhood in McLaughlin and Mobridge, South Dakota. He lost his valiant and long-fought battle for life on March 4, 2010.

Merlyn took his philosophy of life, "don't let what you can't do interfere with what you can do," very seriously. Stricken with a rare paralytic disease at the age of 48, his faith in God, positive attitude and the love and support of his wife, Shirley, carried him through years of paralysis, therapy and struggles, to again pursue and enjoy his love of people, the church, music and community.

Many people knew and loved Merlyn – the musicians and athletes from BHSU that he and Shirley took under their wing, the youth in the UCC church who came to expect a warm hug on Sunday mornings, the Spearfish High School students who came to recognize him at musical and athletic events, the youth and adults who explored their faith in his Christian education classes, the consumers at Northern Hills Living Center, and anyone who needed a kind word, hug, counsel or support.

His Family knew these sides of him and loved him for his generous and caring spirit. But they loved the Merlyn Aman that was also husband, father and grandfather. The man that helped host "Camp Grandma and Grandpa Aman" each summer for his five grandsons, the man who had a weakness for book stores, who didn't like to lose at Scrabble, who loved groaners and knee-slappers, and the man who knew all the answers to the toughest cross-word puzzles.

Though his professional career and its ensuing awards and recognition did not define the man that Merlyn was, they spoke volumes about his commitment to excellence and the level of importance that music, teaching and helping others played in his life.

In his first step toward a music career spanning more than 50 years, Merlyn earned his bachelor of science in education from Northern State University. Soon after graduation, he accepted a position as band, choral and music education teacher in Ipswich, South Dakota. The experience there lit the flame of his passion for teaching; however, Merlyn was always the first to say that the most important and lasting part of that experience was the moment he met his fellow teacher – and love of his life – Shirley. Shirley and Merlyn were married on August 13, 1955. From there, Merlyn's career and path for life was done in constant partnership with Shirley. Together, they moved to Illinois where Merlyn taught and earned his master of music degree from Northwestern University. Returning to South Dakota, Merlyn began teaching in Belle Fourche, then Aberdeen, and later, at Black Hills State University (BHSU). Merlyn and Shirley spent a few more years away from South Dakota when Merlyn was assistant choral director and music education faculty associate while pursuing his doctorate of music at Arizona State University. Merlyn then returned to BHSU where he taught and nurtured students until his retirement, due to the impact of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, in 1978. Following four years of hospitalization and rehabilitation, and with Shirley by his side, Merlyn returned as a part-time volunteer faculty at BHSU from 1982-1988.

Throughout Merlyn's career, he composed numerous choral and vocal solo pieces, a number of which were commissioned for the SMEA convention, S.D. Chapter of Music Teacher's National Association Convention, Choral Director's state convention and for the Rapid City Children's Chorus. As one of the founders of the Rapid City Children's Chorus, he most treasured this opportunity. As a conductor and vocalist, Merlyn gave many guest appearances with a variety of choral and operatic organizations throughout the country and served in various capacities for the South Dakota Music Educators Association, South Dakota American Choral Directors Association, Boy's State, and South Dakota All-State Chorus. Recognition for his efforts came in the form of a 30-year award from the SD Music Educators, named Outstanding Disabled Citizen in the Arts for the state of South Dakota, the Distinguished Service Award of the Society for Preservation of Barbershop Singing in America and the Regional Spiritual Aims Award by Kiwanis International, the Distinguished Service to Music Award from SD Music Educators, Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Choral Directors, the George F. Hixon Award for Distinguished Service and Honorary Members of Kiwanis, Board of Director Emeritus for Northern Hills Training Center, Professor Emeritus at BHSU, and Distinguished Alumni of Northern State University.

Merging his love of music and people, Merlyn initiated a project for music in special education classes in Spearfish schools, later serving as a consultant for the government project adding this component to the Rapid City schools and for the Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education for North Central Evaluation. He continued to support individuals with special needs by organizing the Very Special Arts Festivals for Developmentally Disabled and assisted with organization of the Special Olympics. As the S.D. representative at the National Committee on Arts and the Handicapped he met with several senators to discuss pertinent issues, and served for six years on Governor Mickelson's Council for Developmental Disabilities and for 23 years on the Northern Hills Training Center Board of Directors.

As a younger man, Merlyn served in the National Guard, then in the Army during the Korean War. He held the sacrifice of our country's service men and woman in the highest regard.

Merlyn prayed that he would always act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with his God. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Jean Aman; his son, Russell (Kim) Aman of Dallas, Texas; his daughters Janet (James) Burton of Chicago, Illinois, and Lorie (Glenn) Umphrey of Spearfish, South Dakota; five grandsons, Russell, Vance, Ian, Max and Will; two brothers, Rolland (Bess) and Tom (Danielle) Aman; a sister, Mary Dahl; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Joyce and Maynard Nelson and Bill and Kathy Kriesel; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Naoma Aman.

Services for Merlyn will be held at the United Church of Christ in Spearfish at 11:00 A.M. on March 8, 2010. His family will gather at 2:00 P.M. at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis for his internment. In lieu of flowers, the family has established memorials in his name to benefit United Church of Christ, Black Hills State University Aman music scholarship or athletic department, and the Northern Hills Training Center.