Joseph E. Brownlee, 88, of Rapid City and Gold Canyon, Arizona, passed away on April 2, 2008. Joseph was born on August 17, 1919, in Nelson, MO, to Andrew and Maude Brownlee. He married Margaret Collins on December 5, 1942, in Rapid City, while serving in the U. S. Army Air Force in World War II. He participated in the D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach and the Battle of Normandy and was a decorated war hero. He was a long standing member of the Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the DAV Chapter 3 in Rapid City. He was a great father and friend and will be missed by all. Joseph is survived by his son, M.J. and daughter-in-law Betty, of Gold Canyon, AZ; his sister Catherine Barcher of Kansas City, MO; grandson A.J. Brownlee of Lone Tree, CO; granddaughter Marcie Brownlee-Kari and her husband, Dan Kari, of Bison, SD; granddaughter Jill Heiland and her husband, Tim of Rapid City and 5 great grandchildren, Jena and Tyler Kari, Bison and Amanda, Timothy and Marshall Heiland of Rapid City. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret and 5 brothers and sisters. Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, at the Church of St. Thrse, the Little Flower, 532 Adams Street, in Rapid City with Father Bill Zandri as the celebrant. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, with military honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post 1273 of Rapid City. Lunch will be servced at approximate 12:30 at the VFW Club, 420 Main St., in Rapid City. Services are under the direction of the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City.