OBITUARY

01/22/2011 - Richard Gilbert Swallow Sr

Funeral services for Richard Gilbert Swallow Sr. will be Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 10:00 am at the Porcupine School.

Burial will be at the Swallow Family Cemetery in Porcupine, SD.

Wake services will be Thursday & Friday, January 20th & 21st at Porcupine School.

Richard entered the spirit world Jan 15, 2011 in Chadron, NE.

Officiating the nondenominational and traditional services will be Rev. Don Mink & Linda Abold and David Swallow & Richard Tail for traditional services.

Pallbearers are; Marjo Janis, Marvin Janis, Lester Tail, Les Rowland, Marvin Iron Boy, Roland Bear Killer Jr, Larry Bear Killer and Andrew Urlaub. Honorary pallbearers are; Aaron Summers, Roger Byrd Jr, Bob McEwen, Stanley Hollow Horn, Butch Abold, Dave Brings Plenty, Enoch Brings Plenty, Norman Bear Shirt and all extended family and friends. Tokalas are; John Sergant, Charlie Martinez, Brian Swallow, Richard Swallow Jr, Roland Swallow and John Swallow.

Richard was born December 20, 1954 in Gordon, Nebraska to David Swallow and Margaret Red Shirt Swallow. Richard lived in Wounded Knee, SD with his family. Richard attended school in; Porcupine, Sioux Falls, and Pine Ridge, SD before finally attaining his GED. Richard met Ethel “Bonnie” Bear Killer in high school and married her in 1980.

Richard’s life was one of service to others. He was; Substance Abuse counselor at the Main Artery in Long Beach CA. Richard entered the ministry and continued thereafter. He became an Oglala Sioux Tribal Public Safety Officer and was ordained into both; the Native American Church in July 1981 by Priest Emerson Spider SR and into Orchard Valley Ministries in Wichita, KS by Rev. Bob McKinney April 1981. Richard was trained for working the developmentally challenged and became a wildland firefighter. He started his own store/garage in Porcupine – ‘Swallow Tipi Grounds Store’. He was requested to move to Chadron NE to minister while at the Chadron Native American Center. He started the ‘Triple S’ Mission from his own home to all those in need. In 1990 Richard became a Sun Dance leader. Six years later Richard’s vision, interpreted by Leonard Crow Dog, was that he was to lead – Richard was designated as Chief of the Standing Buffalo Clan by his father. His Lakota name, given by Crow Dog is “Otiota yuha mani”- he who walks with the foundations. For 16 years he researched the Holy Bible along with observing the Lakota beliefs and traditions, finding parallels and combining both teachings into one spiritual practice.

Immediate Survivors:

Wife- Ethel “Bonnie” Swallow of Wounded Knee, SD.

Brothers- David, Tim and Leo Swallow.

Children – Brian Swallow of Chadron NE; Richard (Linda) Swallow Jr of Porcupine SD; Twins Paul and Patrick Swallow of Rapid City SD and Seattle WA, Roland Swallow of Tahoe NV; Rebecca (Scott) Biernacki of Chadron NE; Colette Swallow of Chadron NE; John Swallow of Chadron NE.

Grandchildren- Courtney Hostedeler, Tyler Swallow, Adrian Swallow, Malachi Swallow, Lavina Patton, Jeremy Swallow.

Great Grandchildren- Hope Hostedeler, Faith Hostedeler and Joshua Swallow.

Bernice White Hawk adopted Richard as a son in 1983 from Manderson SD.

Adopted sister is Amy Kindler of Des Moines IA; Adopted daughter, Corinne Sierra from Rapid City, SD. Adopted Uncle, Bill Wagner from Park City, UT; Adopted brothers: John Sergant from Cherry Valley, CA and Mel Rossman from Wounded Knee, SD.

Richard is preceded in death by; both parents, sisters - Bernice ‘Blonde’ (Swallow) Tail and adopted sister Phyllis Mesteth.

Sioux Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.