Terry Wilbur Akin, 68, of Mellette, SD, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at his home.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Redfield, SD.  Reverends Tom Anderson and Christopher Hughes will officiate.  Interment, with military honors, will follow in St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery, Redfield.

Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield.  Family will be present during this time to accept condolences.  A Scriptural Prayer Service and Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m.  Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.  (www.thelen-hykefuneralhome.com)

Terry Wilbur Akin was born on January 8, 1949 in Redfield to Bill and Lenora (Esser) Akin of Ashton, SD.  He attended and graduated from Redfield High School in 1967.  Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in January of 1968.  After boot camp, he was deployed to Vietnam in August 1968 and returned home in August 1969.  He was then stationed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX.  While stationed there, he married the love of his life, Cindy Eppard, on February 16, 1970 at Ft. Bliss.  Upon his honorable discharge in 1971, they returned home. They farmed and had a custom harvesting business until 1979.  After trying his hand at other careers, he joined Johnson Controls in 1992 as a Service Technician until 2008 when he began a battle with small cell lung cancer.  With determination, great family support and strong faith, he beat the odds.  Then in 2016, the cancer returned to the liver.  He fought a hard battle but God needed him more.

He was a wonderful son, husband, father and grandfather.  His greatest joy was watching his children and grandchildren in all their activities.  He was known for telling jokes and great stories and always having a jolly rancher for the grandchildren.  He loved hunting, fishing and playing cards and was a great handyman.  He could fix anything.  In 2004, he and his wife renovated an old church rectory and made it into a hunting lodge and business.  Over the years they have made many lifetime friends from all over the U.S.  He will be truly missed by all who knew him.

He was a member of All Saints Parish in Mellette, Knights of Columbus member, CCD teacher and held many offices for his church.  He was also a member of the Mellette American Legion and the VFW.

Terry is survived by his wife of 47 years, Cindy; his children:  Tammy (David) Hill of Hooper, NE; Travis (Lacy) Akin of Bella Vista, AR; Nicole (Darin) Nelson of Miller, SD; Tara (David) Squires of Volga, SD; and Angela (Jeff) Riley of Sioux Falls, SD. He is also survived by his grandchildren:  Jordan, Abigail, Elizabeth, Alyssa, Bryce, Rilea, Maverick, McCade, Brayden, Alec, Tobin, Maleah, Kendyl, Mason, Addisyn, and Easton; his siblings:  Mary Ann (Jamie) Osborn of Redfield; Kathy (Bob) Pfeiffer of Rapid City, SD; Kay (Syl) Robinson of Blaire, NE; Carol (Doug) Miller of Redfield; Jerry (Betty) Akin of Springfield, NE and Danny (Jeannine) Akin of Ashton as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, sister Monie Garrey and brother, Jack.