Mass of Christian Burial for Mike Vermillion, age 65, of Mobridge will be Monday, December 5, 2011 at 11 AM, CT at the Catholic Church of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kenel, SD. Burial will be at the Catholic Church Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be one hour prior to services Monday. Mike passed away November 30, 2011 at the Golden Living Center in Mobridge.

Michael "Mike" Vermillion was born January 25, 1946 in Fort Yates, ND to Marian Defender. He attended elementary school in Kenel, SD and high school in Fort Yates, ND. Mike was raised by his mother and step father Frank Vermillion, Sr. up until age 4. He then went to live with his grandparents Ben and Sadie Defender, Sr. who raised him most of his life. Mike was blessed to have 3 brothers Van Vermillion, Frank Vermillion, Jr., and Albert Defender. He also had 2 sons Franklin Vermillion and Vine No Heart.

Mike enjoyed the country life, he helped out as a ranch hand for a couple years. He liked to ride horse and help in the garden. Mike was a kind, easy going, generous, and loving man. He liked to tease and joke with anyone. His friends knew him as "Little Mike". Due to health issues Mike was admitted to the Golden Living Center in Mobridge in 1997.

Mike is survived by two sons Franklin Vermillion of Sioux Falls, SD and Vine No Heart of Wakpala, SD, three brothers Van Vermillion of San Diego, CA, Frank Vermillion, Jr., of Anchorage, AK, and Albert Defender of Fort Yates, ND and cousin and legal guardian Marilyn (George) Keepseagle of Fort Yates, ND.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Michelle (Vermillion) Brewer, cousins Don Defender, Hazel Vandermeer, Ivan Defender, and grandparents Ben and Sadie Defender.

Casketbearers will be Buck Defender ~ Albert Defender ~ Wade Keepseagle ~ Wesley Defender ~ Kevin Iron Road ~ Robert Haskell ~ Tom Baker, Sr. ~ Brian Defender

Honorary bearers will be Marilyn and George Keepseagle (Defender) and Family, Helen and Don White (Defender) and Family, Eunice Keepseagle (Defender) and Family, Buck Defender and Family, Carol Defender, Pearl Alvarez (Defender) and Family, Delores Defender and Family, Barbara Defender and Family, Sister Therese Martin, Special Aunt Arlene (Jordan) Hodgkins and Family, and All The People of Kenel.