Waylon Dean Janis was born at sunrise on January 4, 1976 to Guy George Janis and Marcie Whalen-Janis. Waylon made his journey to the Spirit World on August 24, 2024 at his home in Pine Ridge, SD.
Waylon was one of the nicest, caring, kind, and generous individuals in the world. Waylon attended grade school and high school in Pine Ridge. In high school, he was an awesome wrestler and graduated from Pine Ridge High School in 1995. Waylon moved to Denver where he worked at Coors Brewing Company, he returned home and attended OLC where he earned his AA in Lakota Studies. Waylon was an avid Lakota speaker. While attending OLC, he worked for Lakota County School as a Bus Driver. Waylon also loved his children with all of his heart.
Waylon was preceded in death by his parents, Guy George and Marcie “Mad Mare” Janis; hunka father, Verdell “Big Red” Red Cloud; brother, Timmy George Janis; paternal grandparents, Guy “Boob” Janis and Kathereen “Skite” Goings-Janis; uncles, Robert “Rocky” Janis, Leon “Chuckles” Janis, Rodney “OD” Janis, and Moss Bettelyoun; aunts, Terri Janis & Eileen Janis; cousins, Clarence “Cletus” Janis and Robert Watters; maternal grandparents, Russell “Rusty” Whalen, Sr. and Josephine Bettelyoun-Colhoff; uncles, Nathan Whalen, Virgil & Wade Colhoff, and Marty Whalen; maternal aunts, Emma “Mimi” Whalen, Ellen Whalen, and Jessie Whalen; and godson, Shawn Clifford.
Waylon is survived by his children, Timmy and Tinsley Janis and Baby Leon Janis; sisters, Betty Watters, Tanya, Heather, Timonhi Janis, Shyann O’Rourke, and Kayla, Leann, & Kelsey Janis; nieces, Timoryaa & Angelina; paternal aunts, Lula Bettelyoun and Wanda Donovan; uncles, Mark Donovan, Reno Red Cloud, Sr., & Monte (Punk) Whalen; maternal aunts, Toni Colhoff, Cheryl White Rabbit, Krystyne Bettelyoun, Marilyn Red Cloud, Cheryl Whistler, and Linda “Bean” Janis; maternal uncle, Russell “Jr.” Whalen II; cousins, Leon Janis, Darrin Janis, Wes Bettelyoun, Kathy Bettelyoun, Jonathan Janis, Johnse & Josh Donovan, Dion, Quentin, Jesse, Russ, and Nate Whalen, Marisa and Tressee Colhoff, Sheree, Ariel, Paris, Troy Whalen, Myron Shaw, Brent Janis, Donelle Watters, Jayde Bettelyoun, James Red Cloud, Karissa & David Byington; special friend, Paulette Means; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, & friends, and All surviving Damage Inc. Crew.
Pallbearers will be Jay Janis, Dusty Merrival, Quinton Whalen, Jon Janis, Johnse Donovan, Casey Means, Todd Watters, Terry Richards, Luke Folson-Vavages, and Alvin Janis.
Honorary pallbearers will be Nelson & Bonnie Goings-White & Family, Doris Goings & Family, Linda Bad Wound & Family, Julie Goings & Family, Bette Goings & Family, Terry & Janice Goings, Marvin Goings & Family, Veronica Garnier & Family, Emerald Janis & Family, Francine Janis & Family, Cora Janis & Family, Pat Janis & Family, Ival Janis & Family, Tom & Darlene Short Bull & Family, Linda Janis & Family, Pete Pipe On Head, Annette Irving, Jaime Goings & Family, Kelly Watters & Family, Sam O’Rourke & Family, Benji Kelly & Family, Marti & Family, Patricia Janis & Family, Gary Janis & Family, Dave Brewer, Jr. & Family, Derek Janis & Family, Alvin Janis & Family, Gwen Colhoff & Family, Frank Goings, Jr. & Family, Ben Smith & Family, Jay Janis & Family, Dusty Merrival & Family, Don Twiss & Family, James Twiss & Family, Ron Janis & Family, Tony & Roxie Whirlwind Horse & Family, Betty Watters & Family, AJ Waters & Family, Charlie Campos & Family, Ohitika Jones & Family, Henny Whalen, Chick Merrival & Family, Donni Rae Janis & Family, Susann, Cindy, Isaac, & Doug Matthews, David Michaud, Killer Family, Rabbit Family, Steele Family, Two Two Family, Black Elk Family, Thorpe Family, Wolf Creek Staff & Students, and All Friends & Relatives.
Wake Services: One night wake service starting at 3:00 PM, Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pine Ridge, SD with evening services starting at 6:00 PM.
Funeral Services: 11:00 AM, Thursday, September 5, 2024 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pine Ridge, SD
Traditional Lakota Services: TBA
Officiating: Pastor Dan Johnson
Burial Services: Holy Cross Episcopal Cemetery, Pine Ridge, SD
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD.