Charles “Chuck” Joseph Eagleman Jr.
Maza Kaǧa (Iron Maker)
On the evening of April 5th, 2023, Chuck passed away from a long battle with kidney disease in his home with his loved ones around him. Chuck was 89 years old. Chuck was born on April 1st, 1934, in Poplar, Montana he was the second child to Charles Joseph Eagleman Sr. and Melda Bear.
Chuck was raised in Chelsea area and spent a good portion of his life with Grandpa Eddy Bear and his siblings and cousins Dad said, “he learned to work hard at a young age, and always helped when it was needed.” Chuck was a cowboy through and through. He enjoyed racing horses at a young age and eventually ended up riding bulls and entering tough man contests and winning them at Rodeos as he got older.
Chuck went to school in Poplar, Flandreau Indian school in Flandreau, SD and Pierre Indian School in Pierre, SD. At the age of 16 years Chuck decided he wanted to go into the service. He chose the National Guards first and he told them he was 18 when he was old enough, he went into the Airforce and was honorably discharged.
Upon leaving the service Chuck moved to Denver, Colorado. He then met Frances “Cookie” Doney. They had two children, Cheryl “Cherie” Eagleman, and Carlene “Cissy” Eagleman. They moved to Poplar in 1974 where Chuck worked for Law Enforcement as Police Officer for a short time and was a Montana Indian Wild Land Firefighter. He enjoyed working at the Firehall and being outdoors. He was employed by the BIA where he worked in Range Department and retired. He also had a huge amount of respect of the Dakota way of life. He enjoyed going to Powwows and competing in the Men’s Traditional category. During this time, he had met Marjorie Morrison and married her. They stayed close after they went their separate ways and loved each other until the day he left us.
Chuck is survived by Cheryl Eagleman (daughter) of Poplar, MT. Carlene Eagleman (daughter) of Poplar, MT. Chet Eagleman (brother) of Lawrence, KS. Connie Price (sister) of New Town, ND.
Myrna Charbonneau (cousin) of Poplar, MT. Alexx (Finn) Eagleman-James of Poplar, MT. Demiree (Jay) Whitehead of Poplar, MT. Jori Russell of Poplar, MT. Catlin (Hilary) Eagleman of El Paso, TX. Quincy (Dawnie) Eagleman of Williston, ND. Sharon Eagleman, Chet Eagleman Jr. and Shelley (Joe) Bointy Special Nieces Suzanne Turnbull, Barbara Jean Gill, Joy Mann-Poitra. Special nephews Joel Stuart of Scotia, NY and Morgan (Angela) Stuart of Wells, NY. Great grandchildren Taran James, Malaia James, Wase James, Chasidy Russell, Aroyal Russell, Desmond Whitehead, Luca Eagleman, Micah Eagleman, Tegan Velarde, and Rylynn McKenzie. As well as the Youngman/Peterson Family, Bear Family, Escarcega Family, Shields Family, Arden Rae Morales Family, Stuart Family, Gill Family. AT Stafne (brother) & Grant Stafne (nephew). Debbie Bear and Tanya Bear-Frederick (nieces). Our apologies if we forgot to mention anyone as he is survived by countless friends and relatives.
He is proceeded in death by Melda Bear (mom), Charles Eagleman Sr. (dad), Eddy Bear (grandpa), Mary Eagleman-Youngman (aunt), Iva Bear-Dean (aunt), Charlene Eagleman-Stuart (sister), June Stafne (sister) Caleb Shields (brother), Leonard Bear Sr. (uncle), Faye Peterson (cousin), Janet Spencer (cousin), Velma Keever (cousin), Agnes Turnbull (cousin), Warren Youngman Sr. (cousin), Norma Staples (cousin), Melvin Eagleman (cousin), Larry Eagleman (cousin), Guy Peterson (nephew), Myrle Peterson (niece) and Lucille Peterson (niece).
Tokša ake Ate (dad).
A wake will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023 at the Poplar Cultural Center. The funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at Chelsea Cemetery and a feed will be held back at the Poplar Cultural Center.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements and condolences for the family may be left by using the form below.