Funeral services for John Abernathy, 78, of Chamberlain, SD will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Fort Thompson, SD with burial in the Lakeview Cemetery at Fort Thompson, SD.  Wake services will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Fort Thompson, SD.

Anyone wishing to follow, the procession will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday from the funeral home.

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CROW CREEK RESERVATION – David John Abernathy, 78, began his journey to the Spirit World on October 10, 2024, while at home on the Crow Creek Reservation and after courageously facing cancer for two years. His wife of 50 years, Sandy, was by his side.

David John Abernathy, or John, as he preferred to be called, was born in Miller on April 4, 1946, to Floyd and Marion (Clough) Abernathy. He told his mother at a young age that his name was John, not David.

John grew up on the family ranch in rural Gann Valley, attending grades 1 through 8 at Prairie Center, a one-room schoolhouse, then transitioning to Gann Valley High School, or "Gavalhi," where he was a star athlete, excelling in most sports, including football, basketball and track.

Following high school, John trekked across the United States with one of his good buddies, exploring the country and taking a break from rural life. He also spent time working with his brother-in-law, Jim Stebbins, driving semitrucks in New York.

On June 14, 1974, John married Sandy Hopkins in Pierre, having a full-fledged wedding ceremony in Fort Thompson a short time later. John and Sandy raised 10 children together, starting out on a ranch near Gann Valley. Throughout the life they made together, John and Sandy also raised grandchildren and took in "strays," as he called them, other individuals who became like family members.

John's main profession was farming/ranching, taking over the family operation after his father died suddenly in 1975. He owned cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens and horses and always planted a vegetable garden and potato field, as well as other crops, during his time on the family land. John took special pride in the dairy cows he raised, producing milk, cream, butter and ice cream for his family and others.

Throughout his life, John remained a true farmer/rancher and was an expert sheepshearer, working both for himself and for other farmers and ranchers. He was also a dedicated employee of the Chamberlain Sale Barn for years.

In the early 1990s, John began his secondary career as a bartender and bar manager, first at the Golden Buffalo Casino in Lower Brule, on the Lower Brule Reservation, when the establishment was brand new, then at the Lode Star Casino in Fort Thompson, on the Crow Creek Reservation. Many of John's employees, coworkers and patrons dubbed him the "best bartender around" and always enjoyed hearing him yell "Hot damn!" and ringing the bell any time he received a tip for his consistently excellent service.

John loved to tell jokes and stories; had a memorable sense of humor; loved to sing; was an outstanding dancer; loved to read and watch Westerns; was an exceptional cardplayer; and was a hard worker and genuine jack of all trades who could do almost anything he put his mind to. Above all else, John was honest, humble, patient and dedicated to his family. He was one tough cowboy – "Big Bad John" – who was always willing to lend a hand to others, no matter how great or small the need.

Forever grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Sandy; special great-grandsons, Dakota Fallis Jr. and Harper Fallis; sons, Jesse Kirkie Abernathy, of Eagle Butte; Terry (Serena) Abernathy, of Fort Thompson; David (Helen) Abernathy Sr., of Pukwana; Marsden Abernathy, of Aberdeen; and Merrill Abernathy, of Chamberlain; daughters, Audra (James) Alberts, of Pukwana; Marisa Abernathy, of Chamberlain; LaRae (Josh) White, of Box Elder; and Charise Abernathy (Eugene Giago), of Rapid City; brother, Jim (Carol) Abernathy, of Maple Valley, Washington; sisters, Mary (Ron) Hendricks, of rural Gann Valley; Connie (Jim) Stebbins, of Pukwana; and Janet Reuer, of Chamberlain; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends too numerous to name.

John was preceded in death by his son, Timothy "Tim" Fallis; special grandsons, Shane Fallis and Dakota Fallis Sr.; brothers, Bernie Abernathy and Rich Abernathy; sisters, Dorothy Schulte, Leona Jacobsen and Marcia Knight; granddaughter, Sierra Abernathy; and parents, Floyd and Marion Abernathy.