Merwin Hornback, 90 of Lead passed away on June 2, 2015 at the David M Dorsett Healthcare Center in Spearfish.

Merwin was born to Lester and Caroline Hornback in Spencer, NE in 1924. After graduation, he entered the Navy in 1944 where he served on the USS Brookings until being honorably discharged in 1946. He married Luetta Wittenhagen in Mitchell SD and then moved to Lead in 1955 to work for Homestake Mine until retirement in 1984. A retirement greatly enjoyed. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church and a lifetime member of the VFW where he served as District Commander from 1976-1977. As a Veteran he was privileged to be part of the Honor Flight to Washington, DC to view the WWII Memorial, a treasured memory.

Survivors include son, Randy; daughter, Glennis (Ralph) Palmer; three grandchildren, Michelle Percy, Suzanne Rogers, Lindsey Stone; seven great-grandchildren; a beloved sister, Gay Lorenz and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be at12:00 PM at Black Hills National Cemetery on Friday June 12,, 2015 with Pastor Bob Anderson officiating.

Arrangements are under the care of the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead.