Ret. Sgt. Denton Dean Stymiest, 81, of Hale passed away Nov. 24 at Tendercare, Tawas City.

He was born Aug. 17, 1933 in Lake Preston, S.D. He joined the Air Force as a young adult and retired after 20 years of service. He served in South Carolina, Mississippi, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Alaska and Michigan. He served two tours in Vietnam.

Because of his initials, "DDS," some military friends called him "Doc," a name that stayed with him. From 1969 to 1974, he lived in the Oscoda and Glennie area. He had been stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. After his retirement in 1974, he moved back to South Dakota. In may 2014, he moved to Hale to be near his daughter, Kaulana Tyson.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Kathy Manly Stymiest; his parents, Glenn and Agnes Stymiest; and an infant daughter, Barbara Stymiest. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Patricia Hougland and Sheryl Straatmeyer.

Sgt. Stymiest is survived by one aunt, Mavis Norgaard, a brother, Darryl Stymiest, and a sister, Glenna Boyd, all of South Dakota. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Jim Manley of Idaho.

He leaves sons, Kevin (Valerie) Brown of Danora, Pa. and John (Claudia) Stymiest of Germantown Hills, Ill.; and a daughter, Kaulana (Jim) Tyson of Whittemore. Sgt. Stymiest also leaves 11 grandchildren, Kristopher and Brandyn Brown, John Jr., Eric, Autumn, Kaitlyn, Roman and Collin Stymiest and Anthony, Jeremy and Tiffany Tyson; and two great granddaughters, Giana Brown and Savannah LeClair Stymiest.

Mr. Stymiest was taken to Ramsey Funeral Home in Pinconning. From there he was sent to South Dakota. A private memorial service was held on Nov. 27 for family only. An honor guard from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio was present. The honor guards, 2nd Lt. Stephanie Madric and A1c Ana Aguilera, presented a service flag to Sgt. Stymiest's daughter, Kaulana. They played ""Taps"" afterwards.

Anyone wishing to send a card may send it to Kaulana Tyson, 101 S. Bullock Rd., Whittemore MI 48770.