Funeral services for R. Marvin Derflinger, age 82, of Rapid City, SD will be at 12:00 noon on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2822 Canyon Lake Drive, Rapid City, SD. Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD. Masonic rites will be provided by the Battle River Lodge #92 of Hermosa, SD and full military honors will be afforded by the VFW #1273 of Rapid City, SD.


Ralph Marvin Derflinger was born in Front Royal, Virginia on April 30, 1927 to Russell "Russ" Henry and Effie (Athey) Derflinger, and raised on the family farm outside of Front Royal.


As a youngster, Marvin fell in love with the cowboy way of life. His sister Jenny said, "That as a little boy all he ever talked about was going out west, and as soon as he was able, that is exactly what he did." So as a young teenager, he and his favorite cousin, Howard Cooper, left Virginia and traveled to Fluvanna, Texas where they worked for rancher Clyde Miller. Howard however; did not like that lifestyle and returned to Virginia, but Marvin stayed.


At age 17 Marvin lied about his age and joined the United States Army. He was sent to Germany at the tail end of WWII to help with the clean up there.


After he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, Marvin went back to Texas and the Miller ranch. Miller soon sent him to manage the Miller ranch in Perkins County, South Dakota. In South Dakota Marvin met Frances "Fan" Mackey and they were married on April 1948. They have two children, Lillian "Lilly Rae" and Wade.


In 1956, Fan and Marvin bought the Lou Garrel place along the Moreau River and raised both cattle and sheep. They also milked cows and sold cream. To make extra money, he worked at the Faith Sale Barn.


Marvin loved rodeos and when he was younger, used to ride bulls. However; when he got hooked in the mouth and almost had his lip torn off, he got smart and quit. He did continue to participate in Team Roping with roping partner Tommy Udager for many years.


In 1965, Marvin married Joyce Preston Mackey and adopted her two sons, Casey and Shane. Marvin and Joyce also have one daughter, Desireé "Babe".


After marrying Joyce, Marvin worked at various ranch jobs and also became a professional Equine Farrier. However; in 1968 he got bucked off a horse and broke his pelvis bone, making it too hard to shoe horses, so he worked at the Hot Springs VA as a pest control officer for several years. He was also a Mason, a Shiner, and a County Commissioner. He suffered a stroke in January 1998 that impaired his speech and left him paralyzed on the right side.


Marvin passed away on Saturday evening, January 8, 2011 at the Golden Living Center of the Black Hills in Rapid City, SD.


Left to mourn his passing are his children, Lillian "Lilly Rae" (Chris) Witt, Pine Ridge, SD, Wade (Lorena) Derflinger, Faith, SD, Casey (Thia) Derflinger, Hot Springs, SD, Shane Derflinger, Loveland, CO and Desiree "Babe" Derflinger, Rapid City, SD; special niece whom he considered a daughter, Susan "Sue" (John) Henrichsen, Rapid City, SD; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Virginia "Jenny" Hickerson, Anna Mae Shrader, Madelyn Burns and Betty Jo Smith, all of Virginia; one brother, Robert "Bobby" Derflinger, San Antonio, TX and a host of nieces and nephews.


Marvin was preceded in death by his half brother, Walter Evans; his parents, Russ and Effie Derflinger; sister, Lillian Pauline Laing; brothers, Clarence William, Irvin Russell and Ollie Derflinger (died as an infant); and grandson, John Wesley McFarland.


Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday.


Arrangements are trusted with the Faith Area Memorial Chapel in Faith, SD.