Funeral services for Merrill Bruguier, age 37, of Eagle Butte will be at 10 AM MT on Friday, October 15, 2010 at Cheyenne Eagle Butte Auditorium. Burial will be at 2:30 PM MT Friday at Black Hills National Cemetery under direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. An all night wake will be starting at 6 PM MT Thursday at The Cheyenne Eagle Butte Audoitorium in Eagle Butte. Family and friends will meet at the 4Mile at 4 PM MT. Merrill passed away Saturday, October 9, 2010 as a result of a one vehicle accident near Cherry Creek.

Merrill Allen Bruguier was born to Merle Ambrose Bruguier and Virginia R. Provancial Bruguier. From this marriage also arrived a beautiful sister Dorothy Lynn Bruguier to share life with her brother. Through his young life Merrill lived in the Green Grass area with his parents and grandmother Margaret. After his father's death, he remained with his grandmother until she too was called to Heaven. He then went to live and was raised by his adopted parents Stanley and Elizabeth (Tynie) Moran, his cousin. Stanley and Tynie watched Merrill grow into a wonderful young man. During his high school years he played in the band, played football and worked for the Lynn's Super Value Store. After graduating from the Cheyenne Eagle Butte High School, Merrill joined the Marine Corp to serve his country.

After Merrill's discharge he returned back to Eagle Butte to proudly follow in his father's footsteps and joined the Cheyenne River Police Force, yet to continue to protect and serve his people. During this time he resided in the Bear Creek Community along with his Moran family. In his life came a precious son, Ethan Tyler, whom he is very proud of. Also involved in his life was a young lady named Julieanne, for whom he helped raise and dearly cared for. Holding a special place in Merrill's life are the children of Stanley and Elizabeth Moran. They are Sianna Moran, Jesse Moran, Stancee Moran, Corey Moran and Chalsey Moran. To express the love of family, Merrill was kind, loving, forgiving and strong willed. He enjoyed his life and the accomplishments he acquired were too proud to speak of because he never bragged or boasted. Blessed with a heart of gold Merrill was a quiet man, never got angry, never used harsh words, was kind and respectful to everyone. He had the sweetest smile and cheerful laughter, a true role model to his nieces, nephew and friends. In his spare time Merrill loved to fish, hunt, go to the gun range, tinker with his gun collection, play video games with his son and hang out with family and friends. We're going to miss him and know that he joined our family in Heaven. Thank You "Our Blue Angel" for bringing joy and love to our lives.

Merrill is survived by the love in his life, Memory Cook of Bear Creek, son, Ethan Tyler Bruguier of Bear Creek, mother, Virginia Wool of Rapid City, sisters, Dorothy Lynn Bruguier of Cherry Creek, Billie Rose Bruguier and children Constance Cadotte, Cam'ron Cayzha Red Bird, Nanalie "Nelly" Bruguier-Yellowman and children Nanabah Yellowman, Jeffery Yellowman, Leannah Yim, and Jeston Yim, and Jeri Lynn Bruguier and children, Jayden Bruguier, Malachi Bruguier, Alexia Bruguier and Jace LeBeau all of Rapid City, brothers, Clinton"Klint" (Kelly) Bruguier and children Zayden Bruguier, Vanessa Cuny, Jace Bruguier and Keaton Bruguier of Sioux Falls, and Gabriel Long Feather of Rapid City, Aunt, Roberta Bruguier of Flandreau, SD, nieces, KeYanna Bruguier of Aberdeen and Angel Rose Yellowman of Farmington, NM, extended family, Stanley and Elizabeth Moran of Bear Creek, Sianna Moran and Daughters, Eunice and Imaginn Straighthead of Eagle Butte, Jesse Moran (Kati Dupris) and children, Jevan Julien, Taijah, J'Cee of Eagle Butte, Stancee Moran and Daughter, Lauren Leigh Earring of Bear Creek, Corey Moran and Daughter, Silvia of Bear Creek and Chalsey Moran of Bear Creek.

Merrill is preceded in death by his father, Merle Bruguier, Paternal grandparents, Eugene and Margaret Bruguier, maternal grandparents, Samuel and Mercy Provancial, Uncles, Matt and Delbert Bruguier, Aunts, Mildred Bruguier and Delma (Bruguier) Piller, Cousins, Vernon (Binky) Moran and Delano (Joe) Bruguier, nephew, Angelo Yellowman.

Casketbearers are John Schad, Lee Bruguier, Delbert Bruguier Jr., Ronnie Fire Cloud, Eric Twite, Ardi Jewett, Jode Charging Eagle, James Moran.

Honorary Bearers are Cheyenne River Law Enforcement (Including Honor Guard: Burton In The Woods, Chad L. Olson, Clayton Kennedy, Harlan Gunville Jr., Don Farlee, Michael Condon Jr., Alan Romero, Jody Charging Eagle, Jeremy Reede, Nick Cottier, Brice Walters, Jeff Ward, Just Fiddler, Alan Jamerson, Tristan Sampson, Emanual Bear Killer, Don Mitchell, Aaron Runs After), Detention Division (Dominic Eagleman, Memory Cook, Milo Lafferty, Taryn Chasing Hawk, Keiko Iron Hawk, Aaron Turning Heart Jr., Nikita Clown, Mallison In The Woods, Gabe Blackmoon Jr., Waushara Cochran, Jordan Knife, Ashley Blue Coat, Carrisa Brown Wolf, Reilly Miner, Kristi Jensen, Kenneth Bruguier Jr., Myrna LeClaire, Mark Aungie Sr., Myron Noisy Hawk, Terri Red Bear, Randy Swimmer, Derek LeClaire, Rose Mandan, Robert Smith, Leland LeBeau, Arlys Bagola, Joe Lafferty, Mike Dupris, Norma Widow, Barton In The Woods, and Kristi Lawrence, Eagle Butte Indian Health Services & Ambulance Services, Game, Fish and Park Officers, Eagle Butte Police Officers, Dewey and Ziebach Officers, BIA & City Fire Dept. Cheyenne River Judicial Committee, Dept of Social Services, All past & present coworkers, friends and families of Bear Creek, Memory Cook & Family, Bruguier Families, John Schad Family, Charging Eagle Family, Joseph Brings Plenty, Robin LeBeau, We apologize if we have missed anyone whose life Merrill has touched in some way.