Dwayne R. Stoner, age 93, of Tulare, SD passed away Thursday, November 5^th, 2020, at the Eastern Star Home in Redfield, SD.

His public funeral service will be held at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield on Wednesday, November 11^th at 2:00 pm. Pastor Paul Rowenhorst will officiate.  There will be a live stream of his service to the funeral home’s website. Burial will be held at the Tulare Cemetery following the funeral service.

Masks and social distancing are encouraged at the funeral home.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home.  (www.hykefuneralhome.com)

Dwayne Randall Stoner was born February 17, 1927, to Homer and Della (Smith) Stoner near Mellette, SD. He was the oldest of their seven children. During Dwayne’s eighth grade year, his father left their family, leaving Dwayne to fulfill great responsibility in helping his mother raise his younger siblings. Although Dwayne was not able to finish school with these obligations, he was an accomplished, self-taught man who could build and fix anything.

Dwayne married the love of his life, LaDean Boyd in Tulare, SD on February 21st, 1950. They then moved to a farm outside of Tulare. Dwayne and LaDean had three sons: William, Allan, and Steven, and one and only daughter, Janelle. Dwayne, LaDean, and family spent many weekends camping and fishing primarily at the Missouri River, often creating their own campsite in a nearby pasture. This continued later in life with friends and the opportunity to instill the love of fishing with their grandkids.    One of Dwayne’s dreams was to acquire a pilot’s license. In 1979 he and his great friend, Loren Igo, did just that.  They both got their pilot’s licenses and bought a plane together. 

After many years as a successful farmer, Dwayne decided to start the next chapter in their life.  Dwayne and LaDean built a house in Tulare with Dwayne finishing off much of the inside himself.  He also cultivated his knowledge and love of tinkering in a new shop.  Soon after, he opened DR’s Repair and worked on small engines well into his eighties.  He also honed his creativity and welding abilities building many creations to solve problems around the house and create vehicles for his grandkids to ride.  One of the favorites was a weed-whip-powered bicycle.  He also spent many days on the seat of his Farmall H keeping busy around the yard.  He welcomed grandkids and great grandkids to help him out in the shop and took the time to pass on some of his great knowledge and creativity.  They enjoyed helping him out but were also eager to take a Pepsi break with him up at the local poolhall.

Dwayne is survived by his loving wife, LaDean, of Redfield, and their children: William (Claudia) Stoner of Oldenburg, IN and their children Brant (Cindy) Stoner and Chelsea (Dan) Koehring; Allan (Kyle) Stoner of Blackhawk, SD and Allan’s children Cory, Casey (Candace) and Cody (Shelby); and Janelle (Ron) Levtzow of Rockham, SD and Janelle’s children Lucas (Courtney) Voorhees, Tyler (Ashley) Voorhees, Hannah (Robert) Wesner, Samuel Domke and Cami (Greg) Houghtaling; twenty-one great-grandchildren with another on the way; and his sister Shirley (Allen) Storkson of Jamestown, ND and many nieces and nephews.

Dwayne is preceded in death by his parents, Homer Stoner and Della Baum; three brothers, Clinton, Harlen and Nathan; two sisters, Joyce Shoemaker and Jean Hofeman; and son, Steven.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to be made to the Tulare Cemetery Association.

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Thank you to the participants in Dwayne's service:

Clergy - Pastor Paul Rowenhorst

Pallbearers - Cory Stoner, Casey Stoner, Lucas Voorhees, Tyler Voorhees, Cody Stoner, Hannah Wesner, Samuel Domke, Cami Houghtaling

Honorary Pallbearers - Dwayne's Friends

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