Meryle Zubrod, 79, of Spearfish, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2015 at Rapid City Regional Hospital with his family by his side.

Meryle began his life on June 22, 1935 in Watauga, SD with parents, Jerome and Ann (Bleth) Zubrod. On September 11, 1954 Meryle married the love of his life Yvonne in Watauga, SD. In 1956, he was drafted into the US Army where he served two years in Germany. After being honorably discharged they moved to Rapid City, SD where they were blessed with two children, Rita and Steve. Meryle was employed at Summit Construction for many years. He later went to work for the South Dakota State Cement plant until he went to work for Big D Oil Company in the gas industry where he remained until he retired. As a family they settled in Spearfish, SD where they continue to live today.

Meryle was an avid fisherman and outdoor enthusiast. He spent his summers on the water reeling in trophy walleye and enjoyed camping with his family and friends. When the weather cooled down, he enjoyed ice fishing and had years of hunting adventures alongside his hunting dog, Babe. Meryle was also one of the biggest fans the Spearfish Spartans would ever have. Whether he was sitting courtside at a game or comfortable in his recliner with his radio on, Meryle never missed an opportunity to cheer on his favorite team.

Meryle Zubrod was so much more than a man to be missed by the world. He was the type of husband that women everywhere spend their entire lives searching for and the one that his wife Yvonne was lucky enough to stand by for 60 years. He was the type of father that movies are made of and the type of grandfather that spoiled his grandchildren rotten while still teaching and guiding them in the right direction. He was the type of friend that created ever-lasting bonds with those around him and could be counted on for a helping hand through all life's little surprises. All of these things and many more made Meryle a person that will be treasured in this lifetime and beyond.

Meryle was the rope that tied his family together, taught them right from wrong, took every opportunity to share his knowledge and showed all of those in his life that it is possible to live every single day to the absolute fullest.

Meryle was preceded in death by both of his parents, Jerome and Ann; his brothers-in-law, Charles Hare Jr. and Richard "Dickie" (Darlene) Hare; sister-in-law, Shirley Hare; and his mother and father-in-law, Charles and Della Hare.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Yvonne Zubrod; daughter, Rita (Scott) Balsley; son, Steve (Lanette) Zubrod; sister, Mary Ann (Robert) Love; brother, Duane (Kay) Zubrod; sister-in-law, Marie Hare; brother-in-law, Robert Hare; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4-5:30 pm on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Vigil service will be at 7 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am, Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at the church. Burial will take place at Black Hills National Cemetery. A memorial has been established to benefit Spearfish District 164 Legion Baseball.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com