Daniel Falls

1955 - 2025

Daniel Allen Falls, age 70, of New Columbia, PA, was called home by his heavenly Father on August 14, 2025.

Born July 18, 1955, in Lock Haven, PA, to Russell A. and Hazel (Bridgens) Falls, Dan was the oldest of six children. He began his educational journey at Avis Elementary School and was proud to have graduated from Jersey Shore High School (1973), where he played trumpet in the band, sang in the Concert Choir, and was on the wrestling team.

After high school, he attended Williamsport Area Community College (WACC) and earned an Associate degree in Electrical Engineering.

In 1976, Dan enlisted in the US Army, where he obtained the enlisted rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6). In 1981, he was invited to join the Pershing Missile Family at the United States Army Field Artillery Center at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he began his Warrant Officer career. He was a recognized expert in Theater Missile Defense and was requested by name and assigned to the Pershing Operational Test Unit (POTU) in Heidelburg, Germany, as a member of the JCS directed Program. During the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, he proudly served as a Deputy Chief of a US Government (USG) On-Site Inspection/Escort team providing advice and assistance to NATO nations during inspections and eliminations. He traveled to the Soviet Union (Russia) where his expertise has been praised in monitoring Soviet compliance with the INF treaty.

After the Pershing Missile System was eliminated in 1987, Dan retrained as a Land Combat Missile Systems Technician. He was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red 1), which deployed to Iraq and fought in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. During his Army career, Dan was assigned to multiple US installations, as well as to West Germany, South Korea, and Iraq. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service. At the time Dan retired from the Army in 1997, he had been promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4).

After military retirement, Dan began a second career in education. During this transition, he received his Master of Science degree in Educational Administration from Baylor University. He served in the Rosebud-Lott School District in central Texas, first as a high school special education teacher, then as the principal of Rosebud-Lott Intermediate School, and finally as the principal of the Falls Education Co-op Alternative School.

Upon retirement from education, Dan became a Service Officer for the American Legion, serving first in Waco, Texas, then in central PA, as a Mobile Service Officer, traveling hundreds of miles each month to meet with and assist disabled veterans and/or their widows, ensuring that they received just and proper compensation and benefits for their injuries while serving their country. His third career retirement was in 2020.

Dan accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at age 13, and was baptized, but realized later that he only had "head knowledge" about salvation. In October 1993, while stationed in South Korea, he rededicated his life to Jesus and to serving and honoring Him. At the time of his passing, he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Milton, PA, and was actively serving Jesus in several capacities. His family and friends know that Dan would encourage all of those who aren't Christians to believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for our sins and rose victorious over death to provide us with eternal life if we accept this gift of salvation.

Dan greatly enjoyed trout fishing, playing golf, and staying at his brothers' cabins enjoying banter and laughter around a fire ring. He was a gifted singer, and people loved sitting in front of him at church and listening to his wonderful voice!

In addition to his parents, Russell and Hazel Falls, Dan was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Douglas and Sarah Cather of Lebanon, TN, and his brother-in-law, Raymond Schoonover.

Dan is survived by his wife, Millie Cather Falls, his son, Justin Seth Falls, his daughter, Andrea Falls Stow, his granddaughter, Lyric Stow (fiancé Dallas Dotson), and his grandson, Wesley Stow, as well as by his brothers, David (Virginia Engdahl) Falls, Dana (Leslee Mattas) Falls, and his sisters, Cheryl Schoonover, and Amber Falls LaMey (Keith), and Candace Falls Peck, and many beloved nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews, and his loving dog, Bonnie.

The family has entrusted the Rearick-Carpenter Funeral Home, 1002 Allegheny St., Jersey Shore, PA, with his arrangements. According to Dan's wishes, the final services will be private.

To share a memory or condolences, please visit www.rearickcarpenter.com.