Virgil Charging Hawk, Jr.

A funeral service for Virgil Charging Hawk, Jr. was held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Milk’s Camp Community Hall in Bonesteel, SD, with Allen Hare officiating and Rising Hale drum group performing.

Pall bearers were Eric Meng, Lloyd Joseph, Charles LeClair, Montel Campbell, Ronnie Godfrey, Steve Kongi, Wayne Joseph, and Cante Luta YoungBear. Honorary pallbearers were Clyde Squirrel Coat, Phillip Gullikson, Justin Kongi, Quentin Owen, Kerry Sullivan, Jr., Sissy Irish, Benjamin Gullikson, Chad Nilsen, Dallas Chief Eagle, Merle RedBear, Jr Lauterhahn, Tino Roubideaux, and Leon Farmer.

Interment was at the Ponca Creek UCC Cemetery in St. Charles, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Virgil Charging Hawk, Jr. was born June 19, 1961, to Virgil and Rachel (LeClair) Charging Hawk, Sr. Virgil was raised by his maternal grandparents Phillip and Hannah LeClair and spent most of his young years south of St. Charles. Virgil attended schools in both Bonesteel and Marty, SD. He then enlisted in the Army for one tour. After that, Virgil started his own screen printing business which specialized in nativedesigned t-shirts; with this venture, he toured the powwow trail.

Virgil’s hobbies included spending time with his family, traveling to powwows, and scouring antique stores and thrift stores for “treasures.”

Virgil charging Hawk, 64, died July 9, 2025, in Sioux Falls, SD. Virgil is survived by his children—Jessie Charging Hawk and Holly Charging Hawk of Sioux Falls, SD, Wahinapa Charging Hawk, Fort Thompson, SD, Wade Charging Hawk of Minneapolis, MN, Hayden Thin Elk of Watertown, SD, and Xander Rencountre of Webster, SD; his brothers— Melvin Young Bear of Pine Ridge, SD, and Severt Young Bear, Jr.

of Rapid City, SD; his sisters—Ramona (Sonny) Bear Hill, Watertown, SD, Georgette Sullivan, Ortley, SD, and Evelyn Eagle, Waubay, SD; 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Virgil is preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, his brother Lesley Little Bear, and a sister Antoinette (“Toni”) Owen.