Mass of Christian Burial for JoVaughn Baker, 29, of Kenel will be 2:00 PM CT Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Catholic Church of Assumption in Kenel. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. All night wake starting at 5PM with a Rosary at 7PM Friday, March 31, 2017. JoVaughn passed away Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Mobridge Regional Hospital.

JoVaughn Thomas Baker, 29, was born on November 24th, 1987 in Minot, ND. Mother Thomasine (Baker) Shaw, Father James B. Galvin. He spent his first months of life in his great grandmother Esther Left Hands humble home, heated by a wood stove. He spent his baby years in Sioux City, Ia until at 2 yrs old he was adopted by Jack Thomas Sr. as his father who raised him. He attended school in Cannonball, ND. and St. Bernard's Indian Mission in Ft. Yates and High School in Ft. Yates, ND. He received his G.E.D. in Dickinson, ND. He spent his childhood on the family ranch near Cannonball, but remained very close to his relatives in Kenel, SD. He worked as a construction laborer and landscaper. Jovi was very intelligent and a hard worker when he wasn't in trouble. Throughout his life he made many lifetime brothers and sisters. He was very talented boxer and member of the Oak Creek Boxing Club and Young Guns Boxing Club.

He met April Limpy in college at UTTC in Bismarck, ND. then moved to Lame Deer, Montana with the Bull Comming Family. Out of that union was born Jeheezy Isreal Wyatt. His only child. He also lived in Houston, Texas, where he worked as a CNA, caring for mentally and physically disabled homeless people. He married Benita Arviso, whom he shared the remainder of his life with. It was their dream to start a homeless shelter on the Standing Rock Reservation. At the time of his passing he was employed with Jeanette Insulation of Bismarck, ND.

Honored to have shared his life are; mom Thomasine (Baker) Shaw, Step father Robin Shaw, Jr. and Jack Thomas, Sr. Sisters; Santana Rose Hettich (Colton), Sianna Thomas (Adam), Sundance Thomas, Britton Cadotte (Tyler), Jade Archambault (Jarrod), Cynthia Baker (Parys), Shelby Baker, Angel Levering, Veronica Levering, Tomi Levering, Whitley Smith, (Lance), Paige Bailey (Teagen). Brothers; Jack Thomas Jr, Ohitika Waniyetu Shaw, Sam Levering, Dillion Bailey, Wyatt Bailey, Michael Baker, Elyas "Tubba" Baker, Taylor Blackcloud. Son Jehezekel Isreal-Wyatt and April Limpy, wife Benita (Arviso) Baker. Grandparents Rose (Sleeps) Hosie (Frank), Thomas Baker Sr (Jodie), Candace Sherwood, Randeen Fitzpatrick, Joyce Galvin, Paul and Leona Thomas, Clayton and Faye Left Hand, Germaine Demery, Elaine St. John, Special grandparents Aleta Free Martin, Vernon and Rhoda Bull Comming of Lame Deer, MT. Special Aunt Tiffany (Nate) Baker, Special Uncle Denver (Lisa) Baker. His Brothers; Shawn Harrison, Hank Beheler, John Free, Kyle Howard, Mark Free Jr, Austin Morrison, Jordyn Red Bear, and Ryan Black Hawk. Auntie-moms; Jo Baker (Daryl), Georgi Baker, Jessica Lester, Taylor (Charlie) Stops, Shana (Matt), and Farroll (Kyle). Paula (Steve) Bement. Uncles; Tom Jr (Tara), Myrtis, Ace (Marlys), Kyle, Justin "Chunk", and Tucson Baker, Michael Fitzpatrick, Frank (Ganelle) Thomas. Godparents; Georgi Baker and Scott Aldrich. And many Cousins, Nieces & Nephews and other relatives too numerous to mention.

Jovi is preceded in death by; James B. Galvin, Esther Left Hand Silk, Sage Jacob Thomas-Sleeps, Maxine White Bull, Daniel Sleeps, Cynthia White Bull, and TJ Smith.