Funeral Mass for Benjamin T. "Ben" Oldman, Sr., was Wednesday morning, May 23, at St. Stephen's Catholic Church. The Rev. Father Ron Seminara officiated.
Interment was at the Oldman Cemetery with full military rites by the American Legion Post #84.
There was a rosary Tuesday evening, May 22, at the home of Rose Oldman, 460 Little Wind River Bottom Road, Arapahoe.
Mr. Oldman died Sunday morning, May 20, 2007, at the Rapid City Regional Medical Center in South Dakota. He was 61 years old.
Benjamin Thomas Oldman, Sr., was born on July 20, 1945, at Fort Washakie, the son of Daniel Oldman and Esther (Headley) Oldman. His Indian name was Necee Niisi3i', or Two Chiefs.
He attended the Arapahoe Elementary School, was graduated from Riverton High School with the Class of 1963, and earned his AA degree from Central Wyoming College.
Mr. Oldman was a lifelong resident of the Wind River Indian Reservation and served with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.
He was currently serving as a member of the Northern Arapaho Credit Board. Mr. Oldman had also been a Tribal Fish and Game Warden, bookkeeper for the Arapaho Ranch, and worked at the Black Coal Senior Center.
Mr. Oldman was a member of the Catholic faith and the Native American Church.
He was an Eagle Drum member, served with the Sharpnose/Blackcoal Memorial Club, on the Wind River Water Board, with the Arapaho Christmas Committee, on the Arapahoe School Board, was a past member of the Northern Arapaho PowWow Committee, a member of the National Indian Education Association, Northern Arapaho Entertainment Committee.
His family said he enjoyed outdoor activities, ranching, traditional Indian ways, and most of all enjoyed spending time with the family, friends, and grandchildren.
Survivors include his companion, Rose M. Oldman of Arapahoe; sons, Gary Oldman, Sr., and family, Lance Oldman and family, Jay Oldman, Edward Behan, Loren Durgin, and Tracy Wagon; daughters, Alberta Oldman and sons, Bridget Felter and family, Robby Behan and family; many adopted children, numerous grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren; brothers, Joseph Oldman, Stuart Oldman, John Oldman, Daniel Oldman, and Robert J. Goggles; sisters, Pauline Oldman and Catherine Eagle; extended family members in various states.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Esther Oldman; brothers, Dewey, James, and Peter Oldman; sisters, Phyllis Gardner, twins Marie and Maria Oldman, twins Alvina and Malvina Oldman, and Louise Oldman; children, Benjamin T. Oldman, Jr., and Michelle B. Oldman.
On-line obituaries are available and condolences for the family may be made at: thedavisfuneralhome.com
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.