Xavier Gion

Rosary:Friday, March 26, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the St. Labre Parish in Ashland, MT

Wake: will follow at the residence of Jacob Gion and Shanny Spang Gion in Ashland, MT

Funeral Service: Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Labre Parish in Ashland, MT

Interment: will follow in the St. Labre Cemetery with a meal immediately after at the St. Labre School cafeteria.

Xavier Alan Charles Gion, 1 month old, passed away peacefully in his mother's arms on March 23, 2010 at The Childrens Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

Xavier was born a healthy 8lbs, 1oz. with a full head of hair on the morning of February 23, 2010 to Shanny Spang Gion and Jacob Gion at the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Xavier was born with multiple health issues of which his ability to breathe became harder and more difficult for him each day. Even so, our little boy brought so much hope, joy, and love into the lives of everyone who knew him. We will fondly remember his vibrant eyes and his feisty nature, especially with the nurses! It was a miracle that we were even able to spend a full month getting to know him. We deeply valued and appreciated the little things in taking care of him including holding and rocking him, changing pampers, and feeding him.

His Indian name on the Cheyenne side is Homa o hma haeta(Big Beaver), after great-grandfather Alonzo Spang which was given to Xavier by his great-grandmother Barbara Onebear Spang and his Indian name on his Crow side is Apaaxehileendakaakash( Bird Among the Clouds) which was given by his great-grandmother Evelyn Hogan Bearground. He was a member of the Thick Lodge Clan. He also is descended from Pretty Shield and Goes Ahead on his Crow side and Chief Dull Knife on his Cheyenne side.

Xavier is survived by his parents, Jacob Gion and Shanny Spang Gion, big brother Carter and big sister Jessa, grandparents Alan & Joleen Spang of Lame Deer, Scott & Betty Gion of Big Piney, Wyoming and special grandmother Shannon (Rob) Gronowski of Eagle, Idaho. He is also survived by uncles Dylan Spang of Dahlonega, Georgia, Lawrence Spang, Kyler Spang, both of Lame Deer, Cody Gion of Missoula, MT, adopted uncles Allen Fisher, Kyle Burns, Tommy McCormick, Stefan Raining Bird, Casey Curley, Lawrence Headcarrier and Samson Pretty On Top, aunts Marissa Spang of Bozeman, MT, Sheynia Spang, Kaelene Spang both of Lame Deer, Jodeci Whitewolf-Gion of Big Piney, WY and adopted aunt Vicki Small of Ashland. Great-grandparents are Paul & Eunice Gion of Regent, North Dakota, Ray & Johanna Martin of Coeur dAlene, Idaho, Barbara Spang of Lame Deer, and Evelyn Bear Ground of Benteen. He is also survived by many cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and great-grandparents too numerous to mention.

He is preceded in death by aunts Jesse Rose Gion and Marty Gion, and great-grandparents Lawrence Spang, Archie Bear Ground, Delmer Eastman, Margaret Martin, Carol Onebear Grendahl, Alma Hogan Snell, Cerise Hogan, Mamie Knowshisgun, Pearl Hogan, and Francis Hogan Knowshisgun.

Extended family include the Hogan, Eastman, Stewart, Yellowtail, Takes The Gun, Shane, Wilson, Old Bear, Pretty Shield, Stray Calf, Longtail, Lei, Plenty Hoops, Old Horn, Old Elk, Brien, Stops, Yellowmule, Pease, McCormick, Reed, Pretty On Top, One Bear, Spang, Harris, Robinson, Burns, Hill, Seminole, Wolf Chief, Limberhand, Bearchum, Limpy, Walks Along, Whitewolf, Fisher, Rising Sun, Evans, Yellowrobe, Bailey, Stands In Timber, Sooktis, Firecrow, Glenmore, Hiwalker, Spotted Elk, Bighead, Grendahl, Wolfname, Eaglefeathers, Littlehead, Gion, Martin, Dick, Kramer and Sickler families. We humbly give our apologies if we have left anyone out.

We are deeply thankful to Charles and Marcelline Littleoldman for their support and guidance. Also, a thank you to all the staff at the Billings Clinic, University of Colorado Hospital, and The Childrens Hospital who assisted and supported Xavier, especially OB Dr. Maureen Lucas, nurse Julie Black, genetic counselor Susan Landgren, Maternal-Fetal Specialist Dr. Dana Damron, neurosurgeon Dr. C. Corbett Wilkinson, coordinator Nancy English, and his second mothers (NICU bedside nurses) Kayla Kamada and Stephanie Collins.

I love you love you love you my little mister! Mom & Dad