Funeral Service for Vernon L. White Sr. Wicahca Awankina "Old man that Watches over things", 73, of Sisseton, SD will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Kateri's Hall, Sisseton, SD with Pastor Vern Donnell officiating. Special music will be by Tim White and Drum Group will be Arnold Williams. Pallbearers will be Irvin Hill Sr., Byron White Jr., Jordan White, Donovan White, Robert Wolfe Jr., Barry White, Iver "Boots" Cloud Jr., Lindsay White Tony Wolfe, and Joe LaCroix Jr.   Honorary Pallbearers will be Dean White, Thomas "Hammy" Marks, Iver Cloud Sr., Bryce DuMarce, Patrick Deutsch Jr., Winfield Thompson Jr., Emery "Windy" White Jr., Hupa Win DuMarce, Wacahzi Win DuMarce, Allen GreyOwl, Eddie DuMarce, Karen Janisch, Darrell Mireau, Gordon Opatz, Rev. Eugene King, Stacey Wanna, Danny Seaboy, Simon Maestas, Greg Maestas, Darrell White, Myron Williams, Daniel "Butch" Williams, Lillian Wanna, Curtis Hill, and all of Vernon's nieces, nephews and friends. Interment will be in the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, SD with military rites by the Kit Fox Society.  All night Wake Services will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 and Wednesday October 2, 2019 at 7:00 P.M. at St. Kateri's Hall.  The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Vernon was the thirteenth child born to Francis E. White and Mary S. White. He was born March 21, 1946. Vernon attended the Wahpeton Indian School, Wahpeton ND for elementary school until the third (3) grade.  It was during his time at the Wahpeton Indian School he acquired his nickname.

Vernon left the Wahpeton Indian School and relocated to Chicago IL with his family.  He attended the Graeme Stewart Elementary School. Vernon returned to South Dakota and went back to the Wahpeton Indian School and graduated from junior high. He then went on to attend the Flandreau Indian School for high school. During Vernon's senior year in high school, he enlisted in the US Army February 1966, while in the Army, he obtained his G.E.D. Vernon was stationed at: Ft. Riley, KS, Ft., Knox KY, and Ft. Benning, GA.

One of Vernon's most memorable trainings he had to attend was shortly after basic trainings, he was sent to Panama for Jungle Training and Guerilla Warfare Training which lasted sixteen weeks. Then from 1967 to 1968 Vernon was shipped out to Vietnam where he spent eleven (11) months and twenty-two (22) days in Vietnam. Upon completion of his tour in Vietnam, Vernon returned to the United States and to complete his service and was honorably discharged February 3, 1970.

Vernon graduated from the Sisseton Wahpeton Community College with a degree in Carpentry. After obtaining his degree, he began working for the SWO Housing as a carpenter. Vernon passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at the Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Vernon never married; he is survived by his siblings, Emery L. White Sr., Francis J. White Sr., and Barbara J. LaCroix; his children Amy Loughlin, Melissa White, Eric White, Vernon White Jr., Anthony White, Victoria White, and Pamela White, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents Francis E. White Sr. and Mary S. White; siblings Doris and Doreen White, Lila Martin, Elroy White Sr., Frieda White, Gordon White, LaVerne White Sr., Byron White Sr. and his daughter Vernita Inhen.