Melvin “Dick” R. Ching, age 93, of Watertown, South Dakota passed away Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, South Dakota.  Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 7, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church in Castlewood with visitation on Sunday from 2-4:00 p.m. at the Wight, Comes & Sogn Funeral Chapel in Watertown.  Reverend Terry Drew will be officiating with Reverend Steve Lauricella co-officiating.  Marsha Kurtenbach will be the organist with congregational singing.

Interment will be in the spring at Castlewood Cemetery in Castlewood, South Dakota.

Pallbearers will be Robert Raasch, Roger Ching, James Olson, Steve Olson, Gary Olson and Larry Ching. 

Melvin Richard Ching, better known as “Dick”, was born on February 11, 1918 to W. H. R. and Hattie (Jardine) Ching in rural Hayti, South Dakota.  He grew up in Hamlin County, graduating from Castlewood High School in 1937 then attended Watertown Business School.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Castlewood.  Dick farmed all of his life in the Castlewood area, after retiring he moved to Watertown.  Dick married Hazel (Lenning) Hintz on June 19, 1992.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Mary Raasch, Helen Brooks, Phyllis Olson and Margaret Sontag; and three brothers, Howard, Wilbur and Hugh Ching.

Dick is survived by his wife, Hazel of Watertown;  his four stepchildren, Dennis and Nancy Hintz of Clear Lake, SD, Karen Paulsen of Watertown, SD, Donna Martinell of Sioux Falls, SD and Arlo and Vicki Hintz of Aberdeen, SD; his sister, Lois Goldhorn; many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.