Frank "Ike" Leonard Oberle, 97, of Mellette, SD, passed away Sunday, October 15, 2023, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, SD.  His beloved wife, Eva (Frericks) Oberle, died on December 16, 2022.

They will have their memorial services together at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield, SD.  Pastor Melissa Rowenhorst will officiate.  Inurnment, with military honors for Ike, will take place after the service at the Mellette Cemetery in Mellette, SD. Refreshments will then be served at the Mellette Fire Department in Mellette.  The family requests casual attire.

Eva and Ike's service will be live-streamed on the funeral home's website below their obituary. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home (www.hykefuneralhome.com).

Frank was born February 5, 1926, to Frank Alfred and Wanda Minerva (Hottmann) Oberle at Mellette. He was drafted in his senior year of high school.  He was inducted into the U.S. Army on August 28, 1944, at Fort Snelling, MN.  He arrived at Camp Blanding, FL, in September of 1944 for basic training. He left Camp Blanding on December 23, 1944, by plane, after a five-day furlough, and spent the night of the 23rd and morning of the 24th at St. Louis, MO.  Due to tire trouble on the plane, Ike arrived in Bismarck, ND, only to fly back to Huron, SD, where his folks picked him up on Christmas Eve.  He left the United States on January 7, 1945.

While waiting for the ship at New York Harbor, Ike fell asleep and did not hear his name called.  When he woke up, he had missed his company and their trip to Africa.  He reported to the sergeant and was assigned to another troop.  He went overseas on the Queen Elizabeth, landed in England, transferred to a smaller ship, and then landed at Le Havre, France.  At Elsenborn, Ike was attached to the 99th Infantry Division 395th Regiment as a machine gunner heavy.  During his service, his decorations included:  World War II Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon with 2 Bronze Battle Stars, 3 Overseas Service Bars, Army of Occupation of Germany Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.  In July 1946, Ike came home on the SS Eufaula Victory and was discharged on July 7, 1946, at Fort Sheridan, IL.  He started farming after the war.  On January 7, 1950, he was united in marriage to Eva Frericks.

Frank was active in many veterans' organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 40 & 8, and the American Legion where he was a member for nearly 77 years.  He served in a number of positions in these organizations.

Grateful for having shared his life are his three sons:  Leonard (Shirley Johnson) of Mellette, Morris of Lead, SD, and Stacy (Diana) of Belle Fourche, SD; and numerous grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sister Frances Perry, and three brothers:  Floyd, John, and Roy Oberle.