The service for Gaylen M. Roberts, 63, of Aberdeen will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in the mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Pastor Jeff Whillock will officiate. Gaylen died on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, at Aberdeen Health and Rehab.
Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St., Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.
Gaylen was born March 4, 1949, in Watertown, S.D. He was the first born son of R. Evelyn and Raymond A. Roberts. He lived the first 12 years of his life on a farm near Clark, and there attended a one room country school. Then he moved with his parents and siblings to Aberdeen and attended Simmons Junior High and Central High School. He joined the job corps in Missoula, Mont., in the '70s, and spent time in the Black Hills. He later lived his entire life in eastern South Dakota working odd jobs. He loved inventing gadgets, science fiction, survival gear, eating fried chicken and riding his mountain bike.
Gaylen is survived by one brother, Stanley and his wife, Nancy. Two sisters: Claudia and Ken Kirchgasler, and Cindy Roberts and Greg Cotton. Also one nephew, Chris; and three nieces: Kimberly, Olivia and Eleanor; and three grand-nephews: Evan, Wesley and Grant.
Gaylen was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Evelyn Roberts.
spitzerfuneralhome.com