Charles Craig Munger, 90, of De Smet

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De SMET —  Charles Craig Munger, 90, of De Smet, passed away Saturday, May 8, 2021, at his residence in De Smet.


Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at De Smet Community Church. Pastor Jim Millman will officiate with music provided by Dianne Perry and Julie Millman. The service will livestreamed on our website.


Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.


Burial will be at De Smet Cemetery. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the De Smet American Legion Post #138 and the Funeral Honors Team of the SD National Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be his lifelong friend, Merle Klinkel, and the De Smet American Legion and the De Smet Fire Department. Active pallbearers will be all of his grandchildren.


Charles Craig Munger was born on February 3, 1931, to Howard and Florence (Zahllar) Munger in De Smet. In 1949, Craig not only graduated from De Smet High School alongside his sweetheart, Bonnie Johnson, but also became the Mile Relay State Champion, which earned him the nickname “Speedy” Munger. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Army which took him to Colorado Springs, Colo., where he and Bonnie would be united in marriage on September 23, 1950.

Craig remained in the Army until March 29, 1980, when he was honorably discharged for retirement as Master Sergeant.


Throughout his life, Craig owned the De Smet Dry Cleaners and worked at the De Smet News and Butler Paper Company. Outside of work, Craig gave back to his community in many ways. He was an active member in the American Legion for 69 years where he served his term as Legion Commander. He spent many years with the De Smet Fire Department and Ambulance Services.

Craig helped to develop Prairie Park along with serving on its board and he served on the De Smet Development Board. The community titles he held are Hospital Board, County Commissioner, Laura Ingalls Wilder Director, Church Treasurer, Bulldog booster of the year, and Grand Marshall of the Old Settler’s Day Celebration.


Craig is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his children, Sandra (Ronald) Wersal of Faribault, Minn., Judy Page of Pierre, Steve (Janie) Munger of De Smet, and Kent (Diana) Munger of De Smet; 12 grandchildren, Aaron, Alisha, Derrick, Tami, Shannon, Spencer, Jessica, Jada, Cole, Tate, Sam, and Ali; and 15 great-grandchildren.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Florence; one brother, Howard; and one sister, Neva.


Arrangements are by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel  De Smet, Watertown, Hayti and Bryant.


Visit www.crawfordosthus.com
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