Paul Merlyn Bishop

Paul Merlyn Bishop, 91, of Cleveland, TN, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his children.

Paul was born on February 7, 1935, at home in Thunder Hawk, SD, the son of the late Joel L. Bishop and Grace M. Peterson Bishop. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 53 years, Betty I. Bishop; and two brothers, Rev. David S. Bishop and Joel A. Bishop.

He attended Comstock Country School in Lincoln Township and graduated from Lemmon High School in 1953, where he ran track, participated in Future Farmers of America and Camera Club, played trumpet in the band, and sang in the chorus. He attended Lee College from 1953–54 before returning home to work alongside his father and brother on the family farm in rural Thunderhawk.

On February 9, 1957, Paul married Betty I. Hammer. He served in the South Dakota Army National Guard with the 211th Engineer Company, a panel bridge building unit. His unit was activated in 1961 during the Berlin Crisis, and Paul and his young family relocated to Fort Lewis, WA. Despite the uncertainty of the times, he and Betty cherished their season in the Pacific Northwest, forming friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Paul and Betty spent 25 years in Bison, SD, where they raised their children and became deeply rooted in the community. Paul served for 25 years as a volunteer fireman and was among the first in the state to pass the South Dakota EMT exam. He proudly shared his EMT number—007—with those he met in the medical field. During his years in Perkins County, he also served on the Bison School Board and was an active Gideon, regularly speaking in local churches.

A devoted member of the Lemmon Church of God, Paul served for many years as church clerk, sang in the choir with Betty, and served on the church board.

Professionally, Paul worked for the United States Department of Agriculture as the county executive director of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) for 25 years. In 1994, he and Betty moved to Huron, SD, where he worked in the State ASCS office in the Conservation Division until his retirement in 1993.

Following retirement, Paul and Betty moved to Cleveland, TN, where they built their lakeside dream home. Paul remained there for the rest of his life. He became a faithful member of Westmore Church of God, serving as an usher for many years.

Paul is survived by his children: Barbara (Bill) Bishop Carpenter of Dallas, TX; Susan Bishop of Cleveland, TN; and Bradley (Kerry) Bishop of Rapid City, SD; as well as his brother James (Patricia) Bishop of Sioux Falls, SD. He leaves behind grandchildren Braden (Nicole) Carpenter, Caylan (Danielle) Carpenter, Carissa (Eric) Carpenter Hensch, Bethany (Robert) Bishop Wessel, Brett (Katie) Bishop, Briauna Bishop, and six great grandchildren who brought him immense joy and his dear friend, Myrna Sells.

He will be remembered as a faithful, churchgoing, strong, hardworking, compassionate, baby loving, joke telling builder and fixer of all things. He was loved by many—including the family’s grand dogs, who always believed his lap was the best place to be.

A Remembrance of Life service was held Friday, May 1, at 11:00 a.m.,  the family received friends from 9:30–11:00 a.m. at Jim Rush Funeral Home (North Chapel), 2603 Ocoee Street North, Cleveland, TN.

Additional services will be held Friday, May 8, at the New Hope Worship Center in Lemmon, SD, with visitation from 9:00–10:30 a.m. and a Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at Greenhill Cemetery in Lemmon.  You may share your condolences and your memories with the Bishop family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com. For family and friends who can not attend the service, you can watch by Live Stream by clicking the following link: https://together. oneroomstreaming.com/PWM3E8