Graveside services for 70-year old John Gibbons are Sunday, Feb 20, 2022 at 3:00 at the Dragonfly Cemetery in Wounded Knee, SD, with traditional Lakota services by Mr Mike Carlow Jr and Mr Jerome LeBeau
Visitation precedes the graveside services from 10:00-3:00 at the Mouse Creek Sundance Grounds in Wounded Knee
John Anthony Gibbons was born on June 24, 1951 at the IHS in Pine Ridge, SD to Pauline Little Moon-Haddix and his stepfather, Marlin Haddix. John made his journey to the Spirit World on February 9, 2022.
John Anthony Gibbons’ Lakota name is Heyoka Gleska. He was a well respected and beloved Wicasa Wakan who helped, healed and guided his Lakota People. He was a traditional Lakota dancer in his youth, and was a rock drummer for a local band as a young man.
John Gibbons worked for the VISTA Program on the Pine Ridge Reservation before he became a certified EMT. Later, he worked for Shaefer Ambulance Service in Los Angeles, CA.
He eventually returned to the reservation where he worked as a ranch hand, after which he worked for a Hot Shot Wildland Fire Crew in Colorado. John then worked as a correctional officer for the OST DPS as he devoted his life to the Lakota People as a humble and compassionate Wicasa Wakan and Naca.
John was raised by his grandmother, Rosa Little Moon-Iron Teeth in the Wounded Knee community. He was a fluent Lakota speaker that was raised with traditional Lakota values, teachings, and spirituality.
He attended Manderson Day School, Holy Rosary Mission and Oglala Community High School. John graduated from the Job Corps and studied at the University of Boulder in Colorado.
He returned to the Wounded Knee community and married Elizabeth Fast Horse. In this union, they had 4 children; Gabriel Gibbons, Carmelita Gibbons, Nicholas Gibbons and Duane “Dewey” Gibbons. John and Elizabeth were married for 20 years.
Later in life, John moved to Gordon, NE where Bernadine Egger became his companion and he had 6 stepchildren; Hoksila Bear Eagle, Jennifer Bear Eagle, Louis Bear Eagle, Eugene “Misun” Bear Eagle, Sina Bear Eagle, and Marcus Bear Eagle. He then moved to Chadron, NE and remained with her until his passing.
John loved to watch football with his children and stepchildren. His favorite team was the Denver Broncos.
John is survived by his children, Gabriel, Carmelita, Nicholas and Duane Gibbons; his companion, Bernadine Egger; stepchildren, Hoksila, Jennifer, Eugene, Louis, Sina and Marcus Bear Eagle; sister, Betty Gibbons; brother, Ronnie Kvandal; hunka children, AV Fire Thunder, BJ Brave Heart, Heath Ducheneaux, Mike Akers, Mona Pedregon, Rhonda Akers, and Randi Shawaway; hunka brothers, Bob Brave Heart and Russ Cournoyer; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and hunka relatives among the Oneida, Menominee and Arapaho People.
John was preceded in death by his grandparents, Rosa Iron Teeth-Little Moon and Joseph Little Moon; parents, Pauline and Marlin Haddix; and his brother, Ivar Kvandal.
Pallbearers will be Russ Cournoyer, Heath Ducheneaux, Lance Christensen, Robert Brave Heart, Jr., Amery Brave Heart, Brandon Brave Heart, Virgil Two Eagle, Chris Janis, AV Fire Thunder and Mike Akers.
Honorary pallbearers will be Spotted Dragonfly Sundancers, Hunka Relatives and All Friends & Relatives.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD