In loving memory of

Daniel Eli Sidles
January 16, 1982 - April 26, 2016

A Celebration of Life service for Daniel will be 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Joyce Funeral Home with full military rites.

Daniel Eli Sidles, son of Ron and the late Diane (Funderburg) was born January 16, 1982 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. He attended grade school in Graettinger, and he was a 2000 graduate of Emmetsburg High School. During high school, Dan excelled at football and wrestling. After a year of junior college, and just before the September 11, 2001 attacks, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps. Dan graduated boot camp as the Platoon Honor Man, and he continued to the School of Infantry to become a machine gunner.

As a team member of the 2003 invasion of Southern Iraq, Dan pushed as far north as Nasiriyah. He returned home in the summer of 2003 and was redeployed to Fallujah in March of 2004 for Operation Vigilant Resolve - the first Battle of Fallujah.

During his service, he was meritoriously promoted in the field; he was given a Certificate of Commendation for expertly prosecuting enemy targets during multiple engagements with enemy forces in and around Fallujah, and he was awarded the Purple Heart. The best-selling book, No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle of Fallujah, was written about Dan's battalion. After returning home to the United States, Dan served his last year with the Marine Corps as an instructor in the Marksmanship Training Unit.

Dan participated in World T.E.A.M. Sports' Soldiers to the Summit expedition in 2010. It was an opportunity to climb Mount Everest along with 10 other wounded veterans as the movie "HIGH GROUND" was filmed. As a result of this, Dan found a new love. Climbing mountains brought back that rush of life he was so eager to rekindle. Dan enjoyed working out, playing guitar, watching movies and of course, climbing mountains.

On April 26, 2016, Dan Sidles passed on from this life.

He is survived by his father, Ron of Emmetsburg. Left to cherish his memory are his sisters: Deb Lee of Whittemore, IA and Amy Gilderhus of Spencer, IA; his brother, Casey Sidles (Erica) of Denver, CO; and his nieces, nephews and a great-nephew.

Dan was preceded in death by his mother, Diane Sidles; his grandparents; and brother-in-law, Dana Lee.

Tributes

Joleen & Lloyd Petersen wrote on May 12, 2016:

"I am so sorry for your loss, Ron. I enjoyed having him in 3rd grade catechism class. He was all boy! I am sorry I can't attend his memorial service- -will be on a several days trips for grandchildrens' grauations."

Christina Cook wrote on May 5, 2016:

"Daniel was the most beautiful person I ever met. From the first moment I saw him, I knew he would be a part of my life forever. We talked throughout his deployment- I still have his first letter he sent. And we emailed constantly. We would spend hours on the phone over the years of our friendship, and he could always make me laugh. I remember calling him one night recently to tell him how much I loved him and he called the next day to say thank you. He meant the world to me. With all my love and prayers to his family and friends."

Kathy Helmich wrote on May 5, 2016:

"Dan was a very ambitious, strong-willed child. He often spent time at my house while his mother joined me for our back door coffee sessions. My favorite memories of Dan were that he was often dressed up in combat gear, playing in the fort in his backyard, and marching down the street with the rest of the neighborhood gang. It was no surprise when he joined the forces, or that he excelled in bravery. Rest in peace, Dan. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sincerely, Kathy Helmich"