SrA Bracken W. Steele

Rapid City - SrA Bracken W. Steele, 25, Rapid City, died September 26, 2004 at Rapid City, South Dakota. He was born September 1, 1979 in Anderson, Indiana, and moved to Rapid City, South Dakota after completing his military training in Biloxi, Mississippi. Senior Airman Bracken Steele was an air traffic control journeyman assigned to the radar approach control facility at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. Airman Steele joined the Air Force on January 26, 2000. He completed basic training and was sent to Biloxi, Mississippi, where he attended air traffic control technical school at Keesler Air Force Base. Upon graduation from technical training in July 2000, he departed Biloxi for Rapid City, South Dakota and Ellsworth Air Force Base. During the following four years he progressed from being a trainee controller to one of the primary journeyman and trainers in the facility. He evolved into a talented controller, and utilized his skills in training numerous apprentice controllers. His noted training abilities led to his selection as Air Traffic Control Trainer of the Quarter for Dec.-Feb. 2003. He distinguished himself from his pears by earning the First Sergeant Diamond Sharp Award for his dress and appearance. Despite a steady schedule of rotating shifts, he had found time to devote many hours toward the military and civilian communities. Airman Steele was a dependable participant in charitable fund-raising activities that ultimately benefit the lesser privileged - whether they are military members or not. His military awards include the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Training ribbon. He was a 1998 graduate of Frankton High School. He was currently serving in the US Air Force. He loved to play football and basketball and was a sports nut. He loved to draw. He is survived by his father & step-mother, Bill & Andrea Steele; mother & domestic partner, Jennie Steele & Fred Adams; brothers, Jeff & wife Christy McFadden and Greg McFadden; sisters, Amy & husband Larry Walters, Keri & husband Brent Brobston and Staci Snider & domestic partner Will Canada; grandfather, Roy & wife Betty Ann Willis; grandmother, Carmen ''Tex'' Steele; aunt & uncle, Janet & Phil Page and Bobbie Etchison; two nephews, numerous cousins and a special friend, Lindsey Peterson He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Eugene Steele and grandmother, Ruby Willis. Services will be Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at 11:30 Am, at Robert D. Loose Funeral Home, South Chapel. Burial will be in East Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson. Visitation will be from 4-8:00 PM on Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at South Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the James Whitcomb Riley Foundation for Riley Hospital for Children. www.LooseFuneralHomes.com

SrA Bracken W. Steele

September 1, 1979 - September 26, 2004