03/25/2019 - Clifford Wayne Black Elk

Funeral services for Clifford Wayne Black Elk, age 49, will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge, SD with Pastor Craig Wexler officiating. Traditional Lakota services will be provided by Cecil Apple.

Burial will be at the Black Elk Family Cemetery in Little’s Flat near Oglala, SD.

A two-night wake service will begin at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at the Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge, SD with evening services starting at 7:00 PM.

Clifford was born on May 8, 1969 in Pine Ridge, SD to Wilson Black Elk Sr. and Sharon Lee Monroe. He made his journey to the Spirit World on March 16, 2019 at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, SD.

Clifford loved to do mechanic work, hunt, fish, ride motorcycles, gamble, and take care of his son’s various animals. Clifford also enjoyed spending time outdoors, having family outings, and was a strong A.I.M. and Sundance supporter. 

Clifford worked various jobs throughout his career. He started out working as a bus driver at the St. Stephen’s Indian School from 1987 to 1989, during which time he was also a Wild Land Fire Fighter and worked at the meat packing plant in Gordon, NE. In 1989, Clifford starting working for Big Bat’s for about 10 years and then started working for I.H.S. as a custodian from 1999 until the time of his passing putting in 20 years of service.  

Clifford is survived by wife Jeanette Black Elk; children Lawayne Black Elk, Tara Black Elk, Lillian Black Elk, Clifford Black Elk Jr., Jenny (Ed) Stover, Bert “BJ” Montileaux, Stella (Dave) Rogers, Kimberly Janis, Danielle Janis, Elizabeth Richards, Justine Carlow, Kaitlin Little Moon, and Lovetta Little Moon; grandchildren Katie Black Elk, Raiden Red Shirt, Marques Two Lance, Colleen Black Elk, Little Ed Stover, Sadie Rogers, Emlee Two Lance, McKenzie Stover, Chloe Rogers, Adam Trejo Jr., and Baby Dave Rogers; brothers Ben (Marla) Black Elk, Calvin (Therese) Monroe, Own (Dawn) Black Elk, and Tom Poor Bear; sisters Loretta Running Hawk, Avis Monroe, and Iva Black Elk; and hunka father Francis “Chubbs” Thunder Hawk.

Clifford was preceded in death by parents Wilson Black Elk Sr. and Sharon Monroe-Black Elk; son “Baby Boy” Black Elk; brothers Wilson “Wally” Black Elk Jr., Loren Black Elk, and Webster Poor Bear; cousin Abraham Tobacco; nephew David “RC” Janis; niece Mariah Montileaux; and godparents Donnie Chavez, Lillian Chavez, and Iris Oldman. 

Pallbearers will be Bandido Dan, Bandido Shawn, Bandido Amp, Cecil Apple Jr., Rodney “OD” Janis, Chili White Dress, Kenneth Black Elk, Edward Stover III, Kristen Black Elk, BJ Montileaux, Bert Montileaux Jr., and David Rogers.

Honorary pallbearers will be Black Hills Chapter, Rapid City Chapter, East River Chapter, Boot Hill Chapter, Rest of Bandido Nation, Ghost Dance, Soldiers from Jesus, Hell Fighters, Twisted Misfits, Bond Slaves, Black Elk Family, Monroe Family, Bad Yellow Hair Family, Stover Family, Ogle Luta Sundance Family, A.I.M. Family, Red Hawk Family, Blue Bird Family, Cheyenne Family, Wyoming Family, Richards Family, Tobacco Family, Two Lance Family, Eagle Hawk Family, Red Cloud Family, Trejo Family, Poor Bear Family, I.H.S. Staff, Big Bats Staff, and All Friends and Relatives.

A special thanks to Sioux Funeral Home, Pine Ridge Hospital Ambulance Services, and Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD is in charge of arrangements for Clifford Wayne Black Elk.