Hermus James Poor Thunder

Hermus James Poor Thunder was born on February 10, 1958 in Pine Ridge, SD to Isadore "Ike" Poor Thunder Sr., and Tillie Moeller. Hermus went to sleep in the loving arms of Jesus on November 1, 2025 at his home in Red Shirt, SD.
Hermus attended Holbrook SDA Indian School (now known as Holbrook Indian School) where he met the love of his life, LaVena, and they married in 1976. Later, Hermus moved to Tuba City, AZ where he started his family and his daughters, Hermione Jamie and Hermona Janis "Chubbz" Poor Thunder were born. Hermus served the Navajo Nation in a variety of positions as a local school district bus driver, an electrician and lineman, delivered propane for both Navajo and Hopi Nations, and in later years as a carpenter for the Oljato Chapter in Monument Valley, UT. Upon returning to South Dakota in the early 80's where Hermus lived the remainder of his years in Martin, SD and Red Shirt, SD.
Hermus was a proud member of the Oglala Lakota Nation, which was evident in his many years of service with OST DPS as a Tribal Police Officer and ending his career as a Criminal Investigator in the mid 90's. A career he loved. He continued his service as a carpenter for the OSLH Comp Grant Program, where he held many positions, region supervisor, leaving there working with the Meth and Mold Program. He loved the service he provided to his people all people!
The greatest of these is the legacy that he leaves behind, his service and true love for The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The last years of his life he spent serving the Lord not only on the Oglala Lakota Nation, but the Navajo Nation as well and the Blood Reserve in Canada, but the ministry dear to his heart was the Native New Day Program at the Pine Ridge Adult Offenders Facility.
Hermus is survived by his wife, Lavena Poor Thunder; children, Melinda, Jamie, Janis (Jordan), Sheena, Isadore, Virginia Poor Thunder, Tehnijah Jake, Laura Cummings, Dave and Carl Standing Bear, Joseph W. Poor Thunder, Mario Standing Bear, and Esther Thunder Shield; siblings; Mary Poor Thunder, Craig Poor Thunder Sr., Jenny Flye, Lester (Joann) Flye, Sandy Flye, Russell (Tanya) Flye, Dennis "Boss" Fulton, Frankie Two Bulls, uncle; Frances Two Bulls, aunts; Charlotte Poor Thunder, and Marie Jackson, grandchildren; Maurice, Sharice, and Marcus Poor Thunder, Caleb and Cesca Black Bear, Randy and Deana Stanley, Nymeria, Leiland, Artemus Poor Thunder, Buster and Lubbrena Tsosie, Jonnie Rose, Joe, Jr., & Jalen Poor Thunder, Niana Broken Rope, Leona & Robbie, Jr. DuBray, Eavette, Keisha, & Randy Yellow Bird, Marlys & Michael Poor Thunder, and Aliviah Skinner; great-grandchildren; Azalea Poor Thunder-Dubray, Cecelia and D'leigha Jane Black Bear, Vincent Takes War Bonnett, Darius Poor Thunder, Jaliyah, Nick, Jr., & Jiraiya Schmidt, E. King War Bonnett, Kyson Soulek, and Paxton Bidelman; and great-great grandchild; Tien Mesteth,
Hermus was preceded in death by his parents, Isadore "Ike' Poor Thunder Sr., and Tillie Moeller, daughter, Sunset Yellow Bird; siblings; Fern "Cookie" Poor Thunder, Violet "Babe" Bettelyoun, Virginia " Sweet Pea" Poor Thunder, Joseph "Buzzy" Poor Thunder, Isadore "June Bug" Poor Thunder Jr., Darrell "Bear" Fulton, Harold " Rocko" Fulton, Dominic Fulton, Timothy "Timbo" Fulton, Steven "Chico" Flye, Phillip Flye, Ron Two Bulls Sr., aunts; Alice Two Bulls, Sara Pawnee Leggings, Mary Moeller-Two Bulls, and Evelyn Poor Thunder, uncles; Emery Moeller, and Maroni "Mac" Moeller, grandparents; Jenny Marshall, and Joseph Moeller; nieces & nephews, Trinity, Eric, & Arlo Poor Thunder.
Pallbearers will be Maurice Poor Thunder, Marcus Poor Thunder, Jalen Poor Thunder, Justin Two Bulls, Robbie DuBray, Jr., Mario Standing Bear, Jr. and Taatae Standing Bear.
Honorary pallbearers will be Carl "Chepa" Standing Bear Sr., Gerard Brown Eyes, Charlie and Casey Cummings, Craig Dillon, Dale Wolcott, Jim Story, Jim Purdy, Cody Joe Poor Thunder, Jerry "Moose" Mousseaux, Don "Cuny Dog" Cuny, Richard "Dick" Marshall, Pansy Weasel Bear & Girls, Rose Gomez, Cora Goldtooth, Lorraine Francis, Pat & Carol Doyle, Dan & Rtuh Gabbert, Betty & Javier Martinez, Bluch "June" Black Feather, Jason (Brooklyn), Athena Alvarado, Josie Martinez, Tillie Emily, Benjamin Herrera and Brothers, Paul and Katie Returns From Scout, Tanner & Talan Poor Thunder, Craig, Jr. "Shimoo" & Krisuin Poor Thunder, Patricia Jr "Pearl" Poor Thunder, Juanita "Nina" (Alex) Alexa "BooBoo", Ava, & Jesus Jr Zavala, Herman Juan, Hermosa, Kayenta/Monument Valley, & Kinlichee Seventh Day Adventist Churches, Black Hills Health & Education Center, Sunrise Housing Community, Red Shirt Village Community & Relatives, Stillwater Hospice, and All Friends & Relatives, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Wake Services: Two night wake services with the first night starting at 1:00 PM, Friday, November 14, 2025 at the Activity Center in Martin, SD and the second night wake starting at 2:00 PM, Saturday, November 15, 2025 at the Red Shirt School in Red Shirt, SD with evening services starting at 5:00 PM each night.
Funeral Service: 11:00 AM, Sunday, November 16, 2025 at Red Shirt School in Red Shirt, SD
Officiating: Pastor James McCardy
Burial: 7th Day Adventist Cemetery, Red Shirt Table, SD
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD