Jill Eileen Eckert, age 50, of Kadoka died Monday, May 29, 2006, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Closed-casket visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., all at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m.

Darroyl Orien Eugene Sims, age 83, was born on June 4, 1922 to Alba and Gertrude (Apperlie) Sims at Madison, SD. He grew up in Philip, SD, and graduated from Philip High School. He attended Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD, on a football scholarship.

Darroyl met his future wife during college and he and Margaret Huyck were married on March 13, 1943 at Dakota City, NE. Darroyl enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1943. He was an instructional pilot until his discharge in 1945.

Robert K. “Bob” Blair, age 95, of Milesville, died Sunday, May 28, 2006, at the Philip Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 1, at the American Legion Hall in Philip, with Pastor Mark Ford officiating.

Music will be provided by Marianne Frein, pianist, Barb Bowen, vocalist, with “One Eagles Wings” and “In The Garden” and Theo Blair, violinist, playing the “Tennessee Waltz”. Ushers will be Craig Hanrahan, Brian Hanson, Glen Radway and Mark Radway.

Doris M. Millage, age 86, of Philip, died Friday morning, May 26, 2006, at Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 30, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Philip, with Pastor Robert Oettel officiating.

Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Music was provided by Marlis Doud as organist with Congregational Hymn “Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus” and Elvera Moos, vocalist, singing “Be Still My Soul” and “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”. Ushers were Alvin Pearson and John Kramer.

Springtime explodes with colors. Winter’s cold, cutting winds, and lifeless grays – and our memories of them – are all but forgotten. The sky vibrates blue. Fields lushly shimmer in forty shades of green. Those greens backdrop radiant flowers which blossom in increasing variety and numbers. People’s faces glow with smiles, darkening tans and glistening sweat. Eyes dampen with joy over the rainbow that colors the world. Still, the brightest color is the pure, blinding white of a single flower that rests beside a headstone.

Springtime orchestrates a symphony of sound.

Duane Roseth likes to build things such as saddles and remote-controlled airplanes. A lifetime dream for him has been to have a cabin on his land next to Crooked Creek.

One Sunday, Roseth wanted to show visitors his idea of the ultimate cabin spot. The road to the isolated spot was “a little treacherous” according to Roseth’s wife, Lola. As they stepped out of the pickup, they heard the familiar, yet alarming sound of a rattle snake. The tour was immediately over. When machinery was leveling the ground for the cabin, they dug up a rattlesnake den.

Effie Hunt, 72, of Eagle Butte, SD, passed away May 4, 2006, at I.H.S. Hospital in Eagle Butte from injuries received in a single car accident near Red Scaffold, SD.

Services were held Wednesday, May 10, at the Eagle Butte High School Auditorium with Rev. Wayne Olson officiating.

Burial was held at the Hunt Family Cemetery located on the Hunt Ranch south of Eagle Butte under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. A prayer service was held Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. MDT at the All Saints Catholic Church in Eagle Butte.

Boyd Dykema, age 73, of Murdo, died Saturday afternoon May 13, 2006 at the Fort Meade V.A. Medical Center.

Services were held Wednesday, May 17, at the United Methodist Church in Murdo, with Pastor Bob Duemig officiating.

Music was provided by Marilyn Seymour, organist. Register book attendants were Lisa Kessler and Barbara Venard. Ushers were Norman Buxcel and Everett Zaugg.

Zola M. Riggins, age 76, of Philip, formerly of Wanblee, died Tuesday, May 9, 2006, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Services were held Monday, May 15, at the Kadoka City Auditorium, with Pastor Gary McCubbin and Pastor Mark Ford officiating.

Music was provided by Grace DeVries, pianist, Mallory Schaefer, pianist, Julie Neugebauer, vocalist/pianist, and Walt Schaefer, vocalist. Ushers were Sterling and Bradley Riggins, Steve Martinez and Boyd Thorson.

David Burnett is the owner and operator of Philip’s newest business – All Star Auto. Located at 520 E. Highway 14, the business is sharing office and lot space with B&B Sales.

Burnett didn’t jump into running his own used-vehicle business, though he knew that he didn’t wish to work for someone else the rest of his life. “I can be my own boss,” Burnett said of his new venture. “If you can’t take a chance, what is there? I knew I didn’t want to try this when I was 60-years-old.”

Burnett is experienced in the trade, and especially in doing business in a small town like Philip.