May 5, 1945– March 20, 2022
Funeral services for Gilford Iron Wing, 76, of McLaughlin were held Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at the Blue Gym in McLaughlin. Burial was at the All Nations Veterans Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.
Gilford passed away Sunday, March 20, 2022 at Mobridge Regional Hospital.
Gilford Leroy Iron Wing (aka “Jughead”) was born at the Old Cheyenne Agency on May 5, 1945 to Gilford George Iron Wing and Pearl Blanche Defender. He was an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. He grew up in LaPlant and attended the White Horse Day School.
Leroy served in the United States Army and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. Upon returning from Vietnam, he worked several construction jobs.
Leroy met and married Darla in Timber Lake and they were married for 27 years. Leroy had one daughter from a previous relationship with Alice Jewett, Janet Lee Iron Wing Hensley.
Leroy loved to rodeo; he was a saddle-bronc competitor. He also enjoyed dancing and singing. He loved being outdoors camping and fishing with his homemade fishing poles. “Jughead” was a fun-loving person and enjoyed spending time with his many family and friends. He was known for being a story-teller; he would sit with his friends and family and tell stories and laugh and sing.
Leroy is survived by his wife Darla Iron Wing of McLaughlin; daughter Janet (Wesley) Hensley of Chuckey, TN; grandchildren Tori and Cadence King of St. Joseph, MO, Alexis and Tristan Hensley of Chuckey, TN; stepchildren Nina (John) Schumacher of Timber Lake, Marletta Janis of White Horse and Verl Janis of McLaughlin; step-grandchildren, Ikea Janis of McLaughlin, Kayla Schumacher, Kristi Gutierrez, Kellie Schumacher, Kiri Schumacher, and Kyle Schumacher of Timber Lake; great-grandchildren, Everly Sage, Riggin Teegan, and Gunner Haze Thomas of McLaughlin; siblings Hazel Traversie of White Horse and Renee McLaughlin of Eagle Butte; and many other family members.
Leroy was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Robert “Muscles” Iron Wing, Morris Iron Wing, and Chauncey Iron Wing; sisters Gina Claymore, Debbie Ducheneaux, Marlene Iron Wing, and Carrie Iron Wing; and many other family members.