JOHN L. FISHERMAN JR.
John L. Fisherman Jr., 69, of Bear Creek, passed away Friday, February 17, 2023, in Eagle Butte.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. MST, Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte. Burial will be in the Dupris Family Cemetery, Cherry Creek. Wake services will be 6:00 p.m., Monday, February 27, 2023, at the church, with a procession from the 4-mile at 4:00 p.m.
John Louis Fisherman Jr. “Hante’ Hoksila” (Cedar Boy) was born December 30, 1953, to Lena (Whistler) and John Fisherman Sr., at the Old Cheyenne Agency IHS, SD. John attended the Cherry Creek Day School, St. Joseph’s Indian School, and later Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School, graduating from there in 1973. He ran in track and cross-country and set the Freshman 2-mile track record at 10:55. John was very active in sports, running cross country and track in high school. He was a member of the Boy’s Athletic and Lettermen’s Association. As a team member he helped win the cross country meets including: Three River Conferences, and the Little Moreau River Conference in Timber Lake. John continued his education at Haskell Indian Nations University and United Tribes Technical College, where he received a Nurse Aide Certificate.
John moved to Pierre, SD, and while living there he married Mary La Fortune. A daughter, Lynette Fisherman, was born to John and Mary. He then moved to Flandreau, SD, and married Victoria Anderson and to this union three children were born, John “JC” Fisherman III, Elizabeth “Betsy” Fisherman, and Aaron Fisherman.
John later lived in Rapid City, SD. He worked at Rushmore Civic Plaza and for a Rapid City Landscaping Company. He moved to Bear Creek, where he married Nadine Bagola in 1998. To this union a baby boy was born that passed away soon after birth. John worked at C-EB Elementary School and lived in Bear Creek, SD from 1998 until his passing.
John had a contagious smile that was larger than life and his native, quick-witted humor kept many of his friends and family laughing. He was a simple and humble man, and he was always willing to help others when called upon. He walked many miles between Eagle Butte and Bear Creek. He always made time to visit his relatives in Dupree. He enjoyed listening to sports on his radio, storytelling, laughing, telling jokes, taking walks, and Bigfoot hunting.
He is survived by his children: JC Fisherman, Betsy Fisherman, and Aaron Fisherman; grandchildren: Isiah Fisherman, Addison Fisherman, John “Carlos” Fisherman IV, Faya Fisherman, Jacob Fisherman, all of Flandreau, SD, and Storme Agneaux of Bear Creek, SD.
John is preceded in death by his daughter, Lynette Fisherman; infant son; wife, Nadine Fisherman; parents: Lena and John Fisherman; siblings: Ron Fisherman, Josephine Takes The Knife, Emma Georgelynn Fisherman, and Carlos Yellow Elk; aunts: Flora Little Wounded, Ernestine Frazier, and Maida LeBeau; and his beloved horse, Ike.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with John’s arrangements. (www.familyfuneralhome.net)
