Funeral services for Charles D. McPherson, "Big Mac" age 74, longtime Thunder Hawk area farmer and rancher will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at the Spencer Memorial Presbyterian Church in Lemmon with Pastor Webster P. Brower officiating. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD with Chaplain Simon Looking Elk, officiating. Full military honors will be provided by the Bratvett-Green American Legion Post #66 of Lemmon and the Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard of Rapid City, SD.


A Family and Masonic service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday evening at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.


Special music will be provided by Marcia and Darrel Klitzke.


Serving as casketbearers are Walter Barnes, Bill Ericsson, Bob O'Donnell, Dave Anderson, Dave Moen and Dallas Cole. All members of the 211th Engineer Co. are considered Honorary Bearers.


CHARLES DONALD MCPHERSON "Big Mac" to his many friends, was born October 2, 1934 in Sioux County, ND to Ross Donald "Slim" and Mabel Irene (Glynn) McPherson. He was raised in Sioux and Grant Counties and attended a local country school. He was united in marriage to Sandra Lorenz on January 19, 1968 at Lemmon, SD. To this union was born two sons: Myron Charles and Raymond Donald. Charles farmed with his mother north of Thunder Hawk. He also worked for Frank and Arlene Roseau on construction. Charles and his brother, Walter, operated Atkinson-McPherson Trucking Company together.


Charles enlisted into the South Dakota Army National Guard in March of 1957. He was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis in 1961 and 1962. He re-enlisted in March of 1971 and retired in March of 1985 following 22 years of service to his country.


He was a member the Spencer Memorial Presbyterian Church, Lemmon Lodge #151 A.F. & A.M. and the Brattvet-Green American Legion Post #66.


Charles passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Dickinson, ND.


He is survived by two sons, Myron (Tina) McPherson and Raymond McPherson, all of Thunder Hawk, SD; two grandchildren, Chuck McPherson, Glendive, MT and Trinity Rose Bohon, Lemmon, SD; one sister and brother-in-law, Fanchon and Dick Mock, Lemmon, SD; one brother and two sisters-in-law, Leonard and Joyce Atkinson, Glendive, MT and Frances Atkinson, Lemmon, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.


Charlie was preceded in death by parents and one brother, Walter Atkinson.


Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November, 24, 2008 and from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.