Mass of a Christian burial for David John Allison, 53, will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at St. Francis of Assisi Church with Father Arnold Karri officiating, a rosary wake will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday evening at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Inurnment will be in the St. Aloysius Cemetery in Sturgis under the direction of Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

David John Allison, known by most as Dave, was born on July 30, 1957 in Deadwood, SD to Vernon and Dorothy (Soldat) Allison. Dave passed away of a heart attack on March 29, 2011 in Waynesville, NC.

Dave graduated from Sturgis High School in 1975 and attended college at Northern State College and Black Hills State University. He married Sharon Hanzlik, Oct. 8, 1977 and to this union three children were born.

Dave was a perfectionist, workaholic and a master of his trade. He was passionate about every intricacy that went into media publications. As a child when he wasn't golfing he helped his dad in the pressroom. Dave spent 37 years in that field and headed the demanding operation at Allison Publishing, a multi-newspaper company and web printing central plant for the majority of his life. He later headed the printing department at the Rapid City Journal.

Ironically, he was interviewed last month about his career and changes in that industry by the staff of The Mountaineer (Waynesville, NC) where he headed its printing operations. "I still love them (newspapers). I always have, ever since I first set foot in a pressroom," he was quoted as saying, "There is nothing like the smell of a press room."

"I've never been afraid to get ink on my hands," he said. Allison admitted that he doesn't know what his future will hold. In his opinion, local papers will keep going because they "must." Newspapers tell the stories that often television and internet news sites won't. Newspapers tell the stories that matter most to those who live them but will never make national news. In his words, "People need the local news. I believe the local paper will withstand any change in the economy," he said, with a sad smile on his face and conviction in his voice.

He was passionate about his favorite hobbies: golf and music. In high school he participated in debate and many sports. But, he was a master on the golf course. He was a member of at least one Sturgis State Championship Team and was a state medalist. His love for golf was life-long and he won many first flight tournaments. He loved the fact he could play golf year-round in North Carolina and enjoyed teaching his children the sport.

Dave was one of Pink Floyd's most loyal fans. He took his family to concerts across the United States; collected a plethora of memorabilia, and was most comfortable in his Pink Floyd shirt and cap. Dave has now gone to the Greatest Gig in the Sky.

Dave was very active in the Deadwood Elks Lodge #508, held many offices and served as its Exalted Ruler. He also won several Elks state and national competitions.

But his crown jewels were his children. He was an exceptional father and we will miss his guidance. He is survived by his son, Christopher (Tracy) Allison of Broadlands, VA; and daughter, Amie Allison, and her husband Shawn Hise of Brooklyn Park, MN; his son, Joshua died when he was born in 1987. He is also survived by his brother, Jim (Jackie) Allison, and sister, Doreen Allison Creed, both of Sturgis; several nieces and nephews; and his former wife of 30 years, Sharon Allison of Sturgis, although divorced, remained very close.

A memorial has been established to St. Aloysius Cemetery.