Ánetȧheveóó’e, Philomena Ree Whiteman, “Philex” was born in Crow Agency on May 4th 1961, to Florence Bites Whiteman and Phillip Whiteman Sr. Philex, passed away peacefully in her home on March 18th 2022 in Spokane, WA.
She received her early education in Lame Deer and later attended school at Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah. She received her GED and enrolled at Chief Dull Knife College and attended college there briefly. She was one of the last fluent Cheyenne speakers. Philex was friendly and had a large circle of friends; there was rarely a person who didn’t like her charming, joking manner. She is a well-known Northern Cheyenne community member.
Philex was always down for an adventure with family and friends. She traveled with Rennie to the Montana State Capitol to testify for the Medicaid expansion in 2019. Her hobbies included reading, visiting with family and family gatherings. Philex in her early years along with her family enjoyed attending and participating in the Sheridan Indian Days Pow Wow and Racing.
Philomena is survived by her daughters Philona and Sally Whiteman and her sons Steven and Thomas Horn. Her grandchildren, Angelina & Kevin Garcia, Lucia & Vitelio Flores, Evann Walkslast, Charlicia & Joshua Mitchell, Jefferary and Talyannah Sanchez, Steven Horn Jr, Lorenzo Little Owl, Courtney, Aaliyah, Teague, Nevaeh, Rashaun, Roshanda, Rose, Raziriah, Sterling Redstar. Her siblings Lorraine & Joseph Waters, Jolene Walkslast, Charlene Alden, Edwin & Phillip Whiteman Jr, Florene & Phillene Whiteman, Rennie Whiteman-Pena, Nieces and nephews, Amy, Desi, Joseph Elijiah, Jodi Renee, Freeland & Stephanie, Shannon (Henry), Krystal (Paul), Leslie (Clayton) & Jp, Laujanna, Lewarren, Lucinda, Terri Jo, Casey, Justin, Smiley, Florence, Nellie, Wesley, Kinsley, Emily (L. Jace), Jehan, Isiah, Jaydell, Jaylene, Izariah. Ty, Sheldon & Anthony, Jonah, Zachary, Kalene, Sissy, Robyn. Special friends Iola Woodenthigh, Felecia Killsnight, Nadine Killsnight, Event Lopez, Crystal Abel, George Eagle, Kathryn Russell, Brenda Timber, Julio Brady and George Eagle. Extended families include: Whiteman, Eagle Feather, Killsnight, Bites, Spear, Russell. Please forgive us in our time of grief if we have forgotten anyone.
She is preceded in death by her daughter Grace Horn, parents Florence and Phillip Whiteman Sr., her grandmother Sally Crazymule Bites and Nephew Jonathan Walkslast. Nieces, Angela & Shana Red Cherries.
The family would like to send a special thank you to Women’s Hearth in Spokane who helped with her relocation.
Notes from immediate family: Happy we got the chance to get to know each other – Steven My grandma is the only person that I met who I felt like I knew for a long time, even though I just met her a few years ago. I think about her everyday and she will be missed. – Kevin Garcia
We will miss you and we love you. Journey well. – Philona, I love you mom – Sally, I wish I got to know you better. – Thomas
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Thursday March 31, 2022
Lame Deer Mennonite Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Funeral Service
10:00 AM
Friday April 1, 2022
Lame Deer Mennonite Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Friday April 1, 2022
Lame Deer Cemetery
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Thursday March 31, 2022
Lame Deer Mennonite Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Funeral Service
10:00 AM
Friday April 1, 2022
Lame Deer Mennonite Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Friday April 1, 2022
Lame Deer Cemetery
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
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Mosiah & SuEllen SG says
Please except our families most sincere condolences to all of Philex’s family & dear friends. Our thoughts & prayers are with you all.
Marilyn Mader says
Sally, I am so sorry to hear of you losing your mom. I will keep you in prayer as you go through the days, weeks and months ahead.
Diane White and Family says
Charlene, Jolene and Lorraine. We send our condolences and love to u during this time. Your families will be in our prayers. Take care of each other and stay strong this is a difficult time.
Misty Pipe says
Nêstaévâhósevóomâtse
My Mom Bonnie Pipe and Felix adopted each other as sisters in the 90’s. She was one of my Moms favorite people, and grew into one of our favorite people. She would come spend the weekends with us in Billings before taking off on her next adventure. She made her way to our house often in Lame Deer to visit and take a break. We have missed seeing her these last few years, but know she was at peace in her end days at her new home in Spokane. Our condolences to her kids and grandkids. She will be missed.
ROBERT LITTLE WOLF says
TO THE FAMILY OF PHILOMENA WHITEMAN, THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE CHIEF COUNCIL EXTEND THEIR CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR STRENGTH DURING THIS MOST SAD, SORROWFUL AND MOURNFUL TIME FOR THE LOSS OF A BELOVED LOVE ONE.
George Birtic says
Sorry to hear of Philomena’s passing. She was a very a quality person and was always respectful person. Am very sorry about all of this.