Elwood Joseph Dwyer, age 94, of Yankton, passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at his son's home in Sioux Falls, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton with Rev. Bob Lacey officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Wakonda, SD at approximately 1:15 PM with military graveside rites by the Wakonda American Legion. Visitation will be 6-8 PM, Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at Opsahl Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton. There will be a 7:00 PM rosary followed by a 7:30 PM scripture service.
Elwood Joseph Dwyer was born in Wakonda, SD on August 7, 1915 to Thomas and Hanna Dwyer. Elwood attended school in Wakonda, SD and graduated in 1933. He joined the army in 1942 serving as an Airplane Mechanic and was honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant.
Elwood married Phyllis Erickson of Yankton, SD. They had four children; Marcia, Patty, Thomas, and Dennis. They farmed near Wakonda, SD. After suffering a farm accident, they purchased a Cafe in Wakonda. Later they moved to Yankton, SD where Elwood worked at the Human Services Center and painted houses. Phyllis and Elwood divorced.
Elwood married JoAnn and they had three children; Danny, Elwood Jr. and Tonya.
Elwood was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton, SD and the American Legion in Wakonda, SD.
Survivors include, Marcia (Juan) Cardona of Levittown, N.Y.; Patty Guillen of Broomfield, CO; Thomas (Denise) Dwyer of El Cajon, CA; Dennis (Cheryl) Dwyer of Lakeside, CA; Danny (Lisa) Dwyer of Sioux Falls, SD; Elwood Jr. of Yankton, SD; Tonia Dwyer of Yankton, SD; ten grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and Sonia Philbrick a good friend.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife JoAnn, sister Naomi Shrader and brother Donald Dwyer.
