Daniel Allyn Brooks, age 70, passed away at his home on May 2, 2011. He was born in Albion New York. He graduated from Fredonia NY High School in 1958 and later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he enjoyed a 30-year career, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1990. While in the service, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The University of New York. During his career in the Air Force he was stationed in Alaska, South Carolina, Vietnam, Nebraska, New York, Okinawa, and Arkansas, where he retired. He also served on recruiting duty in Sioux Falls SD, Omaha NE, and Peoria IL. His military decorations and awards included Service in the Dominican Republic and Vietnam, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with five devices (two for valor), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm device, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. While stationed at Offutt AFB in Omaha, he met and married Ella Mae Stradinger, from Isabel South Dakota, in 1968. Following his retirement at Little Rock Air Force Base, AR in 1990, they moved to Knoxville TN for four years while Ellie attended grad school. In 1995 they moved to Brookings South Dakota for two years and in 1997 moved to Huron where they lived until 2006. They built their retirement home in Isabel and moved there in early 2006 where they had planned to spend retirement years enjoying the wide open spaces. In June 2006 their home was destroyed by fire caused by lightening. In 2007 they moved to Rapid City. Dan enjoyed being outdoors. He also enjoyed his indoor hobby of collecting and cataloging western movies. He was a member of the Sylvan Hills Free and Accepted Masons, Sherwood AR; The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Valley of Aberdeen, Orient of South Dakota; and Disabled American Veterans. He is survived by his wife, Ella Mae (Ellie), Rapid City; his mother and sister, Verna Brooks and Fran Williamson, Lucasville, OH; Sisters-in-law, Carol (Ron) Doerksen, Rapid City and Joyce (Bob) Gerhart, Bally PA; Brother-in-law, Ron (Alice) Stradinger, Isabel SD; very dear cousins Allyn (Jennifer) Skinner, Scotia NY; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Brooks. Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 pm on Sunday, May 8, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, 2700 Jackson Boulevard, Rapid City. Services will be at 11:00 am on Monday, May 9 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home with Chaplain [Ret.] Herb B. Cleveland officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 pm Monday, May 9 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, with military honors by Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Rapid City Ambulance and Fire Department, 10 Main Street, Rapid City, SD 57701, or Hospice of the Hills, 224 Elk Street, Rapid City, SD 57701.