Mervin White

Mervin White, 71, "Hiilepeesh" "Crosses The River", of Wyola Iikooshtakaatbaachaache peacefully left with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, January 23, 2026, at St. Vincent's hospital, surrounded by his family.

Mervin was born July 16, 1954, in Crow Agency to Mary Door and Charles Frank White. He was the youngest of eight children. Mervin attended schools in Crow, St. Xavier Mission, St. Labre, and Flandreau Indian School.

As a child, Mervin's parents became deceased, and he was raised by his sister, Ada White. During his sister's career, Mervin traveled extensively with her.

On April 16, 1980, Mervin married Rebecca Crooked Arm, and they made their home in Wyola Mighty Few throughout their marriage.

During his life, he enjoyed the occupation of Game Warden for the Crow Tribe. He was mentored by Wallace Red Star. He worked well and closely with Arnold Lucky Costa, Paul Jr. Nomee, William Jake House, and Joe Bear Cloud. He was also employed with the Buffalo Pasture.

Mervin was an avid and accomplished horseman, raising many race horses and maintaining a remarkable winning streak, with his top money maker, Gambling On Dam. Mervin retired Gambling On Dam during the 2012 Crow Fair after a stellar racing career. He maintained a gallery of winning photos and walls of winning blankets. Mervin was the first trainer/owner to win a horse trailer.

Mervin began his journey in the racing circuit as a 9-year-old when he jockeyed for Buck Day, Lee Rock Above, William House, and Carl Venne, among others. From there, he began training horses. He mentored young riders, including Ashton Old Elk, Ian White, JaRee Old Bull, and Sonny LaForge, to name a few. They went on to develop their own string of racehorses in the Indian Relay circuit.

As a youth in the days when horse trailers were not common, Mervin often rode horses for Forest Horn from Lodge Grass to Crow for the Fair.

Mervin was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Ada, Victoria, Leroy, Raymond, Andrew, and Johnny Jo White, George Bement, Donna, and Dolly Kelly; grandchildren Taylor Fitzpatrick, Tashon Rain Little Light, Aunt Mary Lou White Big Day, Belva Tushka, Donna Mc Curdy, Jewell Medicine Horse, and Connie Jackson;

nephews Bradford Crooked Arm Jr., William Backbone III, Birronne Little Light, niece Heather Iron, aunt Alta Birdinground; uncles Gilbert Scott Sr., Thomas Whiteman Sr., Hartford Black Eagle, Cyril Not Afraid, Larson, Alex, and Donald Medicine Horse.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Rebecca; his children Ramon, Harvest, Amber White, Olive Crooked Arm, Carrie Bess (Kevin) Old Coyote, and Chris Old Coyote; his brothers Bruce White, Sr., Stephen White, Sidney (Janet) and Sheldon Fitzpatrick, L.T. (Tammi) Hugs, Gale and Clarence (Jocelyn) Three Irons, Tom (Cheryl) and Joe White Clay, Elvesto Hobbs, Gary Dean Little Light, Johnny Stops, Billy, Eddie, Jimmy Watt, and John (Laurena) Holds The Enemy; sisters Doris Mae Plain Feather, Peggy Well Known Buffalo, Linda Bulltail, Barbara Comes Up, Sandra (Myron) Shields, Angela Red Wolf, Patsy Kelly, Veronica White Clay, Ardith Hogan, Bonnie Hawk, Luanna Stewart, and Georgia Bennet; his grandchildren Jamison, Daivyon, RaMyra, Angel, Mylee, B.J. LaRae, Angeline, Patience, Otto, and Autumn White, Aubrielle, Ivy Amoura and Arlo DeCoteau, Owen (Tinaya), and Richard Chief, Avery, Zachariah, and Trayland (Orlanda) White, Lawrence, Marion, Amerah, and Dazzlyn Hugs, Gloria, Julia, Hank, Philip, Brook, and Noah White, Taylan (Keely) Old Coyote, Rustic, Roping Jewel, Wil (Bray), Solon Fitzpatrick, Cody Crooked Arm, Marina (Mike) Chritian, Starla, Eilene, and Kevin Prety On Top, Landen, Kayan, Sidney Xenna, Tyson, Tiffany, and Sasha Fitzpatrick, Aiden, Madison and Kendal Wilson, Ivy (Shann) Wolfname, Bucky (Kayle) and Tristan Old Elk., Brielle (Quentin) Birdinground Jr., Ethan Yarlott, Anisha Howe, Adonis, Spear Left Hand, Nathan, Ethan, and Valen Biglefthand; his nieces Alisa (Terry Payer), Marilyn Chief, Nadia, Joen, Vania (Ray) Biglefthand, Tara White, Victoria Snell, Briana Fitzpatrick, Jennifer Lovato, Stephanie Little Light family, Rhonda, Janelle Jefferson, JoVonna Plenty, Melissa (Marcus) Red Thunder, Jennifer MooGoo, Vanessa Sandoval, Vicki, and Shirley Holds the Enemy, Beverly Shane and Laura White Clay, Nikki Door, Jonaleah (Chester) Nomee, Kim (Bryce) Hugs, Roberta (Alfred) Walks, Raylene (Jonathan) Pretty On Top, Colleen and Julia Kelly, Iris Heavy Runner, Linda Azure, Robin, Rhonda and Monk Caulfield, Debbie gust, Joyce la Forge, Mary Mac (Thomas) Ten Bear, Francine (John) Small, Mila Big Hair, Cheri (Mark) Real Bird, Myra Ann, Uneeda, Blanche, Deloria, Virginia, Olonda Crooked Arm, June, Caroline Iron, Dianna, Lori Faye Three Irons. Ramona, Mary Howe. April (Ron) Storey, Linda Azure, Iris Heavy Runner, Kim Herbert, Kim Nonoblach, Johnny Jo, and Patty Bennet; his nephews Richard, Scooter White, Todd Wilson, Buddy Door, Bruce (Jennifer) White, Jr., Clinton Ross (Misty) Fitzpatrick, Delano (Alta), Clinton (Kathleen) White Clay, Acorn, John John, Laramie and Whitney Holds The Enemy, Kenny (Joann) Shane, Kevin Sandoval, Emery, Boomer, Sonny, Elery Crooked Arm, Tye Backbone, Everette, Darren Howe, Donald X. Stewart, Darrell, Prinz Three Irons, Jeremy (Robin), JoJo (Michelle) Shields, Lenny (Paula) Plenty, Rodney, Juno, Scott, Barry Plenty Hawk, RC (Pauline), Richard (Kristy) Old Coyote, Tom Whiteman Jr. Family, Regis, Frank Hogan. Waylon (Kirah) and Jacob DeCoteau, and Richard (Lucretia) Takes Horse; great-grandchildren Baby Merv, Angelo Jarvis, Aleah, Joe, Annie White, Ronnelle, Tonia, Carrie Millie Little Light, Azias, Waiverly, Sage, Savanna, Xion, Bradley, Kayla, Tre, Blaze, Bare, Bo, Harlan, Angel, Julian, Aiyanna, Aizen, Avi, Aizleyana, Erienne, Kamari, Bridger, Holden, Iriana, Ionie, Shann Jr., Ilani, Jodeci, Taylynn, Aubriella, Amoura, Arlo, Austin, Broden.

He had a special great-grandson, Blaize Plenty Buffalo, whom Mervin loved to watch dance at different powwows.

Mervin was kind to many and had adopted children, including Ida Backbone, Tyra (Belo) Lefthand, Sarah Chief, LeTonne (Alvin) Yarlott Jr., Chris George, Todd (Erianne) and Wade (Sunny) Amyotte, Jemino Leider, Braydon Howe, Pete Schenderline, and Carrie Bess (Kevin) Old Coyote. Wesley (Festus) Hugs.

Mervin is also survived by his in-laws: brothers-in-law Myron (Loreen) Crooked Arm, Brad (Loretta) Crooked Arm, Norris Davies, Clinton Iron, Cornelius Little Light, Clyde Little Light, and Kenneth Spint; sisters-in-law Lovey Pamela Backbone, Valencia and Carla Crooked Arm, Corliss Iron, Sophia Lefthand, Annabelle White, Drew, Edwina, and LaVonne Little Light; mothers-in-law Lois Crooked Arm, Janice Hudetz, Lena and Ella Little Light, Lane Mountain Sheep Burleson.

Extended family includes Big Shoulder, John Door, Not Afraid, Chief Child, Holds, Red Wolf, Takes Enemy, Blanket Bull, The Wind, Max Big Man, Little Nest, Little Light, Medicine Crow, Margaret Stewart, LaForge, Vernon White Clay Sr., Little Owl, Plain Feather, Nettie White Fox, Maude Door Whiteman, Anita Door, James Door, Hugs, Plenty Hawk, Two Belly-Browns, Beaumonts, late Mary Lou Big Day Families.

Apologies to anyone we have unintentionally missed in our time of grief.

A special thank you to Dr. Barrnet and the whole medical ICU unit. Doctors, support staff, and clergy of St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, MT. As well as the Crow Tribal Chairman Frank White Clay.

Through all of his accomplishments, Mervin remained humble; he had a big heart to help everyone and to mentor and nurture the young into the horse culture. His presence will be missed immensely.