Merle Dean Whitetail

Celebrating the Life of
Merle Dean Whitetail

Made his earth journey, May 28, 1968 – Devils Lake, ND
Made his spiritual journey, September 22, 2023 – Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake, ND
Wake & Prayer Service: Monday, October 2, 2023
Wake: 5:00PM ~ Prayer Service 7:00PM
Fort Totten Wellness Center, Fort Totten, ND

Funeral Service: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
Fort Totten Wellness Center, Fort Totten, ND
Burial: Lighthouse Assembly of God Cemetery, Fort Totten, ND

Officiating: Reverend Antony Samy

The procession to Fort Totten will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Monday from City Plaza, Devils Lake

Music: Drum Groups welcome
    Kris White and Roger Iron Shield

Pallbearers:
Ivan Twohearts, Anthony Martinez, Sue Hem, Dorvan McKay, Quentin B. Whiteman, Jr., Daelynn Pacheco, Derrick Charboneau, Mark Demarce

Honorary Pallbearers:
Dr. Francisco Tello, Jamestown Dialysis Staff, Dr. Vaagan & Nurse Sue, MHA, Spirit Lake Tribal Health CHR drivers, Alora Fox, David Sherman, Sam McKay, Fred Longie, Ambrose Lawrence, Peggy Cavanaugh, Roger IronShield and family, Darren DeMarce and family, Carmen Littlewind and family, Ambrose Lawrence and family, Refuse Control Staff, and families of the Spirit Lake and MHA tribes (to many to list).

Merle Dean Whitetail, age 55, made his journey to the spirit world September 22, 2023, at CHI Altru Hospital, Devils Lake, ND. He is the youngest son of Sanford Whitetail, Sr. and Florence “Rita” Dunn-Whitetail born on May 28, 1968. He grew up in Fort Totten, ND, attended elementary school then graduated from Four Winds High School in 1987. From then on worked at various places such as DTI, SMC, Four Winds School as a bus driver, and Spirit Lake Refuse Control where he had to cut his work career short due to health issues.

Merle met the love of his life, Maria Iron Shield, in 1996 and they were united in marriage in 2001. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and cousin to an extended family. He loved his family with all his heart and treasured every moment spent with them. He was a very kindhearted man, a gentle and loving man. He will be missed, and his memories will live on in our hearts.

He is survived by his wife Maria, his daughters: Christina (Sue) Whitetail, Brittany (Anthony) Whitetail, Ivana Whitetail, and Florence Whitetail. Son, Ivan (Alora) Twohearts. Grandkids: Ayana, Riley, Kailyn, Kyrie, and Zayden. Brothers: Martin Whitetail, Sr., Mori Whitetail, Sr., Brian Whitetail and Richard Whitetail. Sister: Lori Faye (Mark) Whitetail. Cousins: Arnie Whitetail, Nelson Whitetail,  Donna Poitra, Debbie Dickens, Gary Dickens, Diane Poitra, Dovita Cavanaugh, Adline Rush, Glenise Bearstail, Mylo Spotted Horse, Travis Spotted Horse, Joe Whitetail Eagle, Fred Poitra, Alberta (Ted) Dunn, Alfreda (Bob) Charboneau, Calvin (Loita) Dunn, Maynard Dunn, Tayron (Anna) Dunn, Colleen Alberts, Catalina (Terry) Herman, John Whiteman, Sr., Cora Whiteman, Quentin Bruce Whiteman, Jr., Milo B. Whitetail, Sr., Emerald (Matt) Robertson, Cornell (Agnes) Good Thunder, Willis Whiteman, Jr., Marlon Whiteman, Annette Pacheco, Carol Whiteman, and Donna Corbine. Uncle Kenneth (Flo) Dunn. Kunsi’s: Pauline Myrick, Ramona Leftbear, Bonnie Leftbear, and Helena Littleghost.

Welcoming Merle home are his parents, Sanford and Rita; brothers, Curtis Youngbear, Sanford Jr., and sister Brenda Whitetail; a grandson Keyden Whitetail and granddaughter Mya DeMarrias; maternal grandparents, Martin and Josephine (Ross) Dunn, paternal grandparents Winnie Spottedhorse, David Whitetail and many relatives.