HARTINGTON — Merlin “Merl” Johnson, 82, Yankton, S.D., died May 7, 2026, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton.

Funeral services were May 11 Christ the King Lutheran Church, Yankton, with Rev. Dani Jo Bierwagen officiating. Burial was in the Hartington City Cemetery.

Visitation was May 10 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home, Yankton, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m.

Merlin “Merl” Johnson was born July 25, 1943, at his home in Laurel, to Floyd and Gertrude (Doescher) Johnson. He grew up in Laurel, and graduated from Laurel High School in 1960. He then went on to receive his degree in diesel mechanics from Milford Tech School. He married Doris Walton Dec. 2, 1962, and they then moved to Hartington. While in Hartington, Merl worked for Gerry Miller Implement,Konken Implement and then owned and operated Johnson 66 from 1978 to 1990.He then moved to Edgar, and worked for Beck’s Farm Equipment, where he serviced the Sandy Creek buses, vehicles and tractors. He then moved to Grand Island, and worked for Toner’s Case Implement until 2005, and then began working for Oil Dealers until moving to Yankton in July of 2008.

Merl was a former member of Peace Lutheran Church, Grand Island, and was also a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church and Tri-State Antique Club in Yankton. He loved tractors and enjoyed working on his antique tractors and peddle tractors, as well as polka dancing.

Survivors include his three children, Wayne (Sheila) Johnson, Cedar Bluffs; Bryan (Tammy) Johnson, Uriah, Ala.; and Shelley (Rod) McNatt, Yankton, S.D.; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Karen Johnson, Hastings, and LaNae (Jerry) Brasch, Lincoln.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Gertrude Johnson.