John Whiteman

John Posey Whiteman, better known by his Crow name, “Iílabee,” (tough fat guy) went to the other side of the camp on February 1, 2017. He was born on January 24, 1944, raised by his parents, Henrietta Whiteman and Ellsworth “Mike” Schroeder in Crow Agency. He was a member of the Ties The Bundle Clan and a child of the Greasy Mouth Clan. Posey attended Crow Agency elementary school and then Hardin High School for three years. He transferred to Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota, where he graduated in May 1964. After graduation, he participated in the federal government's Indian relocation program and chose his vocation to be diesel mechanic school in Chicago, Illinois. Soon thereafter, while in Chicago, he met and married Rose Mary Bennett, and from this union they were blessed with their two children, Geraldine and John. One of Posey's great loves in life was basketball. He was a highly acclaimed player for the Hardin High Bull Dogs. His uncle and namesake, Edward Posey Whiteman, Sr., was a huge fan and never missed any of his games. Posey was injured in a car accident and broke his leg in his junior year of high school, ending his basketball career at Hardin. After transferring to Flandreau for his senior year, he played basketball and became a member of Flandreau's athletic letterman's club. Wherever Posey played basketball, his presence was known to teammates and opposing teams alike due to his 6'6” height, big solid body, and his tenacious play. He set mean picks, was a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court, and players knew he was an imposing presence on the court. Posey's love for basketball stayed with him throughout his life. Because of his experience in Chicago, Posey became a lifelong fan of the Chicago Bulls. In fact, it was rumored that he tried out for the Chicago Bulls and throughout his life, he remained a fan of Michael Jordan and the World Champion Bulls. As a young man growing up on the Crow Indian Reservation, he learned pow wow music and with his beautiful and strong voice, he was sought out to join drum groups and to sing 49s. He sang at pow wows and gatherings for the push dance, round dance, and intertribal 49s. Posey was an astute traditional Crow singer and he knew his Uncle Posey's flag song by heart. Introduced to him by his Uncle Bozo, he also sang a variety of country and western songs and his favorite artists were Charlie Pride and Hank Williams, to name a few. Posey lived in Chicago until 1981, when he suffered a near fatal accident. The members of the American Indian Center in Chicago raised money and had him transferred to Billings, MT to be closer to his family. From that point on, his older sister, Patsy, took care of him throughout his recovery and she was diligent in making sure he received the best medical care. Posey lived with Patsy and her family until his health deteriorated and he eventually transitioned to assisted living. Patsy never missed any of Posey's birthdays and frequently visited him, always being an occasion that brought him joy. Posey lived in assisted living for a period of years and was happy to reunite with his children, John and Geraldine, after they returned to Crow Country. More recently, for Posey's birthday last year, he received a surprise visit in Lewistown and was introduced to his only and beloved grandchild, Angel Rose. Many of the younger Whiteman family members never got the honor of meeting Posey, but the relatives that did, remember him for his athletic prowess, his singing, his dry wit, storytelling, and his good cooking. Posey was preceded in death by his wife Rose, brother Nathan, niece Lucy, mother, and father. He is survived by his children John (Shonna), Geraldine, and adopted son Phillip Whiteman; his siblings: sisters, Patricia Whiteman Laverdure (Dale) and Dora Hugs (Oakie); brothers, Calvin Herrera, and Frank “Tommy” Bear Cloud; and numerous extended family: Venne, Crooked Arm, Williamson, Bird Hat, Old Horn, Other Medicine, Round Face, Whiteman, Laverdure, Curfman and Hugs. Our family is large and we apologize if we have missed any family in our time of sorrow. Viewing will be at Dahl's funeral home on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Rosary will be at Dahl's on Sunday, February 5th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The funeral will be held on Monday, February 6th at St. Charles Mission in Pryor, MT at 10 a.m. The burial will follow at the Whiteman Cemetery in Pryor.