02/28/2019 - Frank Ecoffey

Funeral services for 93-year old Frank Robert Donald Ecoffey will be Thursday, Feb 28, at 10:00 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pine Ridge, SD, with Father Edmund Yainao, S.J. and Mr. Charles McGaa officiating.

Burial Services will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery in Wounded, Knee, SD

A one-night wake service will be held Wednesday, Feb 27, starting at 3:00 PM, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pine Ridge, SD with Rosary Services starting at 7:00 PM.

Frank Ecoffey was a WWII veteran of the U-S Navy

Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD, is in charge of arrangements for Frank Robert Donald Ecoffey

Frank Robert Donald Ecoffey was born in Gordon, NE on February 8, 1926 to Frank A. Ecoffey and Rachel Norton.  Frank made his journey to the Spirit World on February 22, 2019 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, SD.  

Frank "Bob" Ecoffey lived in Gordon, NE for several years with his Grandma Norton.  He attended grade school at OLL, and than attended school at Pine Ridge Boarding School.  

Frank stayed with his father, Posey Ecoffey, step-mother, Irene, and his two brothers Fred Ecoffey and Gilbert Ecoffey.  Frank enlisted into the United States Navy on March 29, 1944 and was honorably discharged on September 15, 1944 after seeing over 5 months of combat. 

After returning home from the Navy, Frank married Esther Richards, they had eight children, Robert D. Ecoffey, Mary Ellen Red Shirt, Margie Murdock, Roberta Ecoffey, and the four other children have since passed away.  

Frank married Anita Clifford on Sept. 26, 1966 and together they had four children, Richard D. Ecoffey, Carmen Ecoffey, Tonia S. Ecoffey, and Monte Ecoffey who has passed away.  Frank and Anita were married for 53 years. 

Frank worked at many jobs, he worked at Sears and Roebuck in California before he returned home and starting working for Shannon County Schools, currently called Oglala Lakota County Schools, in maintenance for Pine Ridge Middle School; he was always concerned about the youth, and trained many of the young men to box.

Gerald Walgren was a police officer with the OST Tribal Police Dept., and was a OST Tribal Council Representative for the Pine Ridge District and Porcupine District.  During his time as a Tribal Council Representative, his father, Frank "Posey" Ecoffey also was a representative for Pine Ridge District.  Frank also worked for the OST Tribal Charimain, Richard "Dick" Wilson Administration, he set up the OST Planning Commission, along with many other jobs for the Oglala Sioux Tribe, such as the OST Water Development.  

Frank started his own businesses, such as J&R Development, Contracting Construction, including well drilling, building houses for OST Housing, and Little Warrior Enterprises which was a convenience store in Wounded Knee.   

Frank was an avid owner, trainer, and breeder of Thoroughbred Race Horses, where he won many races throughout his lifetime in the United States.  He also started and owned part of the Big 10 Cattle Company in Porcupine, SD.   

Frank was a loving and devoted husband and father, he loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and all the younger children who from time to time lived with his family.  He always wanted his children and grandchildren to do the best they could in whatever they decided to do.  He always said, "Love each other, and be kind to people."

Frank is survived by his wife of 53 years, Anita Ecoffey; his children, Robert D. Ecoffey, Richard D. Ecoffey, Carmen Ecoffey, Tonia Ecoffey, Mary Ellen Red Shirt, Margie Murdock, and Roberta Ecoffey; brother, Fred Ecoffey; and many grandchildren, and great grand children.  

Frank was preceded in death by his mother, Rachel Norton; father, Frank A. Ecoffey; sisters, Catherine Zaccaro and Betty Steele; brother, Gilbert Ecoffey; and son, Monte Ecoffey.

Pallbearers will be Mike Murdock, Steven Wilson, Kyle Ecoffey, Koltin Ecoffey, David Haskell, John Pettigrew, Sam Clifford, GW Ecoffey, Brandon Ecoffey, Cody Ecoffey, Robert Clifford, and Louis Tyon.

Honorary pallbearers will be Rochelle Steele, Dick Zaccaro, Jason Pettigrew, Robert Lamonte, Chuck O'Rourke, Valaria Apple, Ruth Brown, Melvin Cummings, Mike Pettigrew, Mark Duane Clifford, Tony Clifford, Troy Perkins, Jeremy Pettigrew, Leroy Janis, Raymond Ecoffey, Rocky Brewer, Lorren Goodrow, Nancy Hussman, Daphne Cook, Joe Murdock, Frank Murdock, Jr., Lante Swallow, Leonard Martinez, King Martinez, Rodney Janis, Coby Janis, Race Horse Community, and All Friends & Relatives.