Merle Bleeker, age 86, of Clear Lake, SD passed away Sunday, September 19, 2021, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 24, 2021, at the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake, SD. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery, Clear Lake, SD. Visitation will be 5- 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 23, 2021, at the United Methodist Church, Clear Lake and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Merle Darrel Bleeker was born on February 2, 1935, at home in Hamlin County to John and Jennie (Ruesink) Bleeker. He went to school in Hamlin until 4th grade then to Castlewood until 8th grade. After school, he helped his dad and uncles with farming. He also built grain bins. He joined the Army January 5, 1955, receiving an honorable discharge on December 18, 1956. Merle married Charlo Boerner on January 12, 1956. After his discharge, he helped his brother, Leonard on his farm and after helping his brother, he went into farming on his own. Merle semi-retired in 1994, moved into Clear Lake, where he resided at the time of his death. He enjoyed mowing lawns, gardening, upkeep of his home, but mostly socializing with friends, playing cards, and having coffee with his friends at the Cenex store. He enjoyed playing Sequence and pinochle. Merle was quite a jokester and like playing pranks. He had a sense of humor right up to the end. He was a member of the Bemis Christian Reformed Church actively participating as Sunday school teacher, Deacon, and elder. When the church closed, he joined the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake, actively participating as an usher and helping with communion. He had a strong religious faith and was a spiritual leader of the family. He is survived by his wife, Charlo (Boerner) Bleeker of Clear Lake, SD. Sons, Darrel (Linda) Bleeker of Rapid City, SD; Kevin Bleeker of Watertown, SD; and Craig (Bonnie) Bleeker of Sioux Falls, SD. Twelve grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. One sister, Marlys West of Lakeville, MN and many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his son, Bradley Bleeker, grandson, Jared Bleeker, daughter-in-law, Valerie Bleeker, as well as six of his siblings, his parents, and his mother-in-law, father-in-law, as well as many other siblings-in-law.