Merlin Rae Newman

Merlin Rae Newman, 84, of Aberdeen, SD, and formerly of Omaha, NE, passed away Friday, August 27, 2021 with his daughter and granddaughter by his side at Aberdeen Health and Rehab.

Merlin’s wishes were to be cremated with a Memorial Service at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary, Aberdeen, with Pastor Derek Baum of Aberdeen First United Methodist Church officiating.

Visitation is 5:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, at the mortuary with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before the service at the mortuary.

Burial is at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, Aberdeen.

A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow the burial at Schriver’s Memorial Fellowship Center.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and also view the service at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Merlin was born in Burdette, SD to Dave and Gladys (Curtis) Newman on June 11, 1937.  He graduated from Redfield High School in 1955. Merlin attended SDSU and played football for the Jacks all four years of college. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Vo-Ag in 1959, and was an avid Jackrabbit fan throughout his life. Merlin married his high school sweetheart, Judy Spear, in 1958.  They had four children: Monte, Melody, Michele, and Merit. Merlin taught Vo-Ag and coached in Faulkton and Redfield before leaving teaching to pursue a career in finance to better support his growing family. He became a land appraiser and farm loan officer for John Hancock Insurance and later with the Federal Land Bank of Omaha. He also loved baseball (especially the New York Yankees), hunting and fishing. His granddaughters meant the world to him.  Merlin would travel to visit them often and he always found the local ice cream shoppe for them.

Merlin is survived by his wife, Judy Newman of Aberdeen; children: Monte Newman and Melody Newman both of Omaha, NE, Michele (Mike) Perrizo of Aberdeen, and Merit (Lorie) Newman of Hershey, NE; granddaughters: Meghan (Tim Buus) Perrizo of Hazel, SD; Grace (Dana) Howle of Indianapolis, IN; Mariah (Josh) MacKay of Peyton, CO; and Marissa (Devon Altwine) Newman of Kearney, NE; sisters: Melva Olson, Marlis Freeburg and Marion Dring all of Redfield, SD; brothers, Marvin Newman of Wilmar, MN and Milt (Devonna) Newman of Mina, SD; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Merlin is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Melvin Newman and Maurice Newman; brothers-in-law: Harold Olson, Bob Freeburg, and Russ Dring; sisters-in-law, Joyce Newman and Dorinne Newman; and one niece and one nephew.

Merlin’s family wishes to extend their extreme gratitude to the Avera Hospice team for their wonderful care of their dad these past few months.