Mass of Christian Burial for Reuben White Bull Sr., 77, of McLaughlin will be at 10 AM, CT, Thursday, April 27, 2017 at the Kenel Catholic Church. Burial will be at the church cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will start at 5 PM Wednesday with services at 7 PM at the church. Reuben passed away Saturday, April 22, at the Pierre Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Reuben Clement Whitebull passed on to the spirit world on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at the Golden Living Center in Pierre, SD. Reuben's health was failing for the past year. He had a bout with double pneumonia. The former golden glove champion didn't rise after the last knockdown. He was counted out, but his legacy as a great Hunkpapa Sioux scrapper will live on forever.

He was preceded in death by his wife of seven years, Mildred (Howard) Whitebull who died in a car accident in 1973. In October 1967 a son, Reuben "Speedy" Whitebull Jr. of Ft. Yates, ND was born to Reuben Sr. and Mildred.

Reuben Sr. was born November 2, 1939, and raised on the Standing Rock Reservation. His parents were Jacob Lawrence Whitebull and Julia (Red Fish) Whitebull.

In his early years Reuben began his education at the age of 5 at Marty Indian School located in Marty, SD. His first experience away from home involved a motor vehicle accident. He and his brothers were being transported to Marty, SD. The priest and a male passenger were drinking an alcohol beverage. The priest died in the accident and Reuben and all of his brothers were injured. Reuben had a broken leg. He later recuperated at Stephan Mission and they continued their trip to the Marty Indian School. Reuben was enrolled at Marty not understanding English or able to speak it. He wore braids. After that his long hair was cut off and his mouth was washed with soap every time he spoke Lakota. He survived his first year of school at Marty and after that his parents transferred him to the Pierre Indian School in Pierre, SD, where he went on to graduate from 8th grade in May of 1953. Then he went on to enter high school in Ft. Yates, ND.
He was an Honor Roll student in high school. Reuben joined the Boxing Club coached by Butch Luger. He became the ND Golden Glove State Champion and boxed in the Upper Midwest Golden Glove Boxing Tournament. In his senior year, he went out for football and became and outstanding running back where he was coached by Wallace Galuzzi. Reuben graduated with honors from Ft. Yates High School on May 23, 1958.

After high school Reuben enrolled in the Ellendale Industrial College in Ellendale, ND. After his sophomore year, he transferred to Bottineau School of Forestry. He was recruited to Bottineau by the schools boxing coach. He continued his boxing career.
Some negative aspects in his life occurred while in high school he became addicted to alcohol. This plagued him for the rest of his life. He dropped out of college and began working at common labor jobs whenever the opportunity existed.

In 1966 Reuben was inspired by his younger brother who had become a school teacher, therefore he enrolled at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion to pursue a teaching degree. He later dropped out to start working construction labor again. In 1970 he returned to USD to continue his education. He then joined a Teacher Training program in 1972 and worked briefly at the Little Eagle Day School.
Because of his addiction to alcohol he was in and out of colleges, found work in schools, and often times went back to working common labor jobs.

It wasn't until 1983 Reuben graduated with his B.A. degree from the Standing Rock Community College in Ft. Yates, ND.

Reuben was employed from 1995 to 2000 with the Standing Rock Early Head Start Program. He fell back into his addiction again and then sobered up in 2003 and was employed by the Standing Rock Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Reuben battled with different health issues even overcoming cancer, but eventually lost his bout with alcoholism.

He is survived by his son, Reuben "Speedy" and his spouse Devin, three grandson's, Jedediah, Elden and Issaac, two granddaughters, Ryan and Shianne, one great grandson, Carson James Red Horn, one brother, Doug Whitebull, Sr. of McLaughlin.