Harold "Tuffy" E. Halsey, 79 of Yankton and formerly of Springfield

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Saturday, December 18, 2010 at the United Church of Christ in Springfield. Burial will be in the Springfield Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be Saturday from 11 am until the time of the service at the church. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home of Springfield is in charge of the arrangements.

Harold Eugene "Tuffy" Halsey, son of Clarence and Bessie (Kellogg) Halsey was born June 18,1931 on a farm near Springfield, SD. He died Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Tuffy attended rural schools and graduated from Springfield High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 10, 1952 and was honorably discharged in March of 1954. After his discharge from the Army, Tuffy farmed for two years and then worked full time for the Army National Guard as a 1st Sgt. for 11 years. He was honored to be named as the Technician of the Year and also the First Soldier of the Year Award during his years in the service.

Tuffy was united in marriage to Wilma Krieger on July 27, 1952 in Burke. Three children were blessed to their union and survive their father today.

After his service in the Army National Guard, Tuffy started Halsey Construction and continued the business for over 38 years.

Tuffy married Marilyn Flevares on May 13, 1990. They moved to Yankton in August 2009. They enjoyed camping, traveling and spending time together.

Tuffy was a member of the United Church of Christ in Springfield, Moose, Elks Lodge, Contractors of America and the Dwight Wood American Legion Post. He served on the Board of Directors of the Springfield Assisted Living Center and of LICA.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife Marilyn of Yankton; his children: Linda Wegman and husband Duane of Sioux Falls, Cindy Tolsma and husband Merlin of Savage, MN, and Mike Halsey and Brandi Bladen of Lebanon, OR; eight grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; three step children: Dr. Jim Flevares, Nancy Flevares and Dr. Susan Dufek and husband Mark; five step grandchildren; one brother Glen "Shorty" and wife Sarah "Sally" Halsey of Springfield; one sister Lorraine "Rusty" DeRoos and husband Robert of the Good Samaritan Center in Tyndall; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Tuffy was preceded in death by his parents; brother Lloyd Halsey; and sister Joyce "Sis" Barnes.