Bernard Redcherries, Aanhosee’ (Swift Hawk) 49, of North Carolina, formerly of Lame Deer passed away on August 18, 2012 in North Carolina.
Bernard was born on September 5, 1962 in Crow Agency to Bernard L. Redcherries Sr and Flossie Rockroads.
Bernard attended school in Lame Deer and Busby and graduated from Busby High School. He later attended college in Portland, OR. He received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from a college in Nebraska. Bernard was also a retired Union Journeyman Carpenter.
Bernard joined the Army and received an Honorable discharge on May 22, 1997 and will be buried with military honors.
Bernard was married to Sandy Lipe. Bernard’s children are Lori Redcherries, Bernard “ Sonny” Redcherries III, Della Redcherries, and Dixie Asbury. His grandmother is Evelyn Flying. His grandfather is Rock Redcherries.
Bernard is survived by his children, siblings Abraham Spotted Elk Jr, Abram Spotted Elk, Bernadette Redcherries, Nelly Whiteshield, and Melanie Rock Roads Edwin Dean Whiteman Sr. He is also survived by adopted siblings Ann Knowshisgun, Theda Foote, Isadore Whitewolf, Joseph Whitewolf Jr., Priscilla Robinson, Joy Foote, Arvelos Whitewolf, Eloise Whitewolf, Justine Whitewolf, special Brother-in-law Melvin Woodenthigh Sr., Elvira Woodenthigh, Special sister-in-law Donna Roundstone, Special uncle Tim Lame Woman Sr., special nieces Chanda Spotted Elk, Daecia LaRoche Clark and Gabrielle LaRoche.
Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Patsy Rock Roads and Emma Rock Roads and adopted daughter Johneleen Medicine Top.
Bernards extended family includes Curley, Rock Roads, Redcherries from Oklahoma, Blackstone, Twenty Stands, Turkey Legs, Flying, Yellow Robes, Little Bear, Colhoff, Chester Whiteman Family, Robert Littlebird family, Bearchum, Spotted Elk, Onebear, King, Mexican Cheyenne, and Foote.
Bernard was a ceremonial priest in the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. He was an Arrow Priest and Sundance Priest, and also an original member of the Homeland Security. Bernard took pride in his fishing and hunting. He liked to tell stories of his hunts.
Ann (Strange Owl) Knows His Gun says
Been feeling “selfish” with my own sorrow & pain in the loss of my Big Brother “Chirp”. I couldn’t believe the words that my brother left us … I am so at a loss of words :'( …. Chirp; your last words to me; “Sis.. when am I going to walk you down the isle?” … after I told you in March 2012 when Porter & I reunited and got married .. and I asked you to Walk Me Down the Isle at my Wedding. Sad and crying to talk to you again when you call me @ work to “check-in” with me every other week. Love you & Definately will miss my big brother who has been there for me since I was 15 yrs old. What do I do when I sit and wait for you to call me ????
Chanda Spotted Elk says
🙁
James.(Slick) Francis says
I will always remember “Chirp”
Miriam Knows His Gun-Beartusk says
I feel so sorry now that I missed the opportunity to talk to you when you stopped by our espresso/barbershop a few years back. I remember you came in with Isadore and you kept looking into my shop as I was busy cutting somebody’s hair. I didn’t recognize you right away. (it had been years since I last saw you!) After you guys drove away and I finished the haircut, I walked out of my barber shop and asked Jon who you were… he said “Bernard Red Cherries”. I was crestfallen and said, “Oh my goodness! That was Chirp?!” I totally would have come out and given you a huge hug! I have so many memories of your family and wonderful mom! Many memories of you and Daniel. When my brother, Sylvester, saw you in Oregon a few months back, you told him to tell the rest of his brothers and sisters that you loved them. Thank you for that. I will always hold those words to my heart and I know that you knew… we loved you too. Rest with God.
Oliviane'marie Baier Whistling Elk says
I’ve finished what I needed to do…Give me a ring. I can still cook for your family
George Birtic says
Sorry for this untimely loss.
Daniel KnowsHisGun says
Chirp… Flooded with so many memories, you were like a little brother to me. It did not matter back in the day, if you were with me, I knew I had a brother that would always have my back. We lost touch for years, but I still laugh when I think of some of the exploits we did. I prayed for you when my brother told me you called, and I’m praying for your family now . Lord I thank you for watching over Bernard’s family and keeping them safe.
Arlee Harris says
I remember me and Bernard go all the way back to 1st grade at Lame Deer elementary…..We were class-mates and very good friends……..I think we went all the way to 8th grade together……We also had our share of drama….We had some good fights with each other and also against others…..I also hung with him in Portland, Oregon for a few years…..Bernard always treated me really good as a brother should……..Journey well brother!!!!
Brigitte says
May you have a safe crossing and Rest in peace forever, Mr. Red Cherries.
With respectful thoughts, and Prayers, for your family and you,
all the way from Greece.
Chanda Spotted Elk says
Thank you for all your kind words about uncle chirp. . .his funeral and wake service went great. He was buried with military honors and painted in the traditional cheyenne way. It was a sad day when I heard that he was passed. In my mind my uncle is a strong man who always went away to work. . . he was a man who taught me to pray in the traditional way and have respect for the ceremony. I remember being young and he would tell us kids “dont play right now we are praying, no noise, no balls in the house, no splashing water at sundance.” he was a man who touched so many. . .it was heartbreaking to see him being painted and thinking that this was the end of our life with him. I hope that gramma flossie and was there to guide you when you started your journey to the other side. Love you uncle!
sandra lipe says
A wonderful traditional Northern Cheyenne. A proud carpenter and veteran. A loving husband,father , uncle, nephew, and grandfather. Always helping others. I am blessed to journey with you here on mother earth. I look forward to embracing you on the other side when I cross over. Peace and unconditional love always.
Denise Swank says
it was a sad for me when I heard about the passing of this man, my uncle. He gave my youngest daughter her indian name; when Adeline Whitewolf asked him to come to my house and name my baby girl: when he was down here in oklahoma, he made that announcement at a birthday/honor benefit dance for an Cheyenne elder lady from Kingfisher, and he conducted and ear piercing ceremony for the granddaughter of a good friend. He called upon me to assist him by holding the baby this is when he made the announcement that I was his niece, PPl here have much respect for him and call upon him for many reasons. At one point and time, he received many gifts from a family for his assisting their son with a piercing, and all those gifts he gave to me and my companion for his last year in the Sundance. I sure appreciated that so much. He will be missed.
Marlowe Sam says
Abraham Spotted Elk, Jr. is my Cheyenne brother, Flossie Rock Roads was my adopted Cheyenne mother. It was sad to hear this news! I had heard many good things about his life and was glad to hear that he found and was walking on a good road. I give my condolences to family and friends.
Bernard Redcherries 3rd says
I can always feel your presence on the side of me Dad! Fly high and guide me til we reunite in that warriors paradise.. Sonny.
Lupwa’enu says
Rest well brother and thank you for the many words of wisdom. So happy our lives crossed paths a long time ago. Be with the Creator and will see you again.
Liz Kilpatrick says
I did not know you personally but I had the privilege of taking care of your two children Lori and Sonny for a long time. They were beautiful children and I love them dearly. I have lost track of Sunny and if he is reading this at any time I invite him to get hold of me. I still talk to Lori very frequently. If you did nothing else good in your entire life which I’m sure you did you produced two great people. Liz Kilpatrick, davenport iowa