Obituaries
Willie John Hicks
UMATILLA, Oregon — Willie John Hicks passed away peacefully June 09, 2025, at the age of 53 at his home in Umatilla, Oregon, surrounded by his family and friends.
Willie was born December 29, 1971 in Pocatello, Idaho. He was raised and went to school in Blackfoot, Idaho. Willie was adopted when he was 3 weeks old by Dennis and Annette (Hayball) Hicks, of Blackfoot, Idaho. The Hicks family also adopted Willie’s biological brother Denny Dean Hicks in 1972 and they were raised together.
Willie had a genuine sense of humor and a love for all things funny. No matter what, he was always smiling and laughing.
He married and is survived by the love of his life, Delpha Jo (Smith) Hicks on August 8, 1998 in Umatilla, Oregon. They built a life rooted in love and tradition. Willie had a deep connection to his native spirituality and found immense joy dancing to the rhythm of traditional drums at powwows. Known for his exceptional beadwork and handcrafted regalia, Willie offered many gifts from the heart to those he loved.
His laughter was infectious, and his magnetic spirit drew people in with ease. Above all else, Willie cherished being a parent and grandparent. Willie and Delpha opened their home and hearts offering unconditional love to many children throughout their 27 years together.
In addition to Delpha, Willie is survived by his daughter Chyyanne Summer Miller-Hicks, his cherished grandson Wyatt Duff and his son-in-law Matt Duff, daughter Carrie Anne Minnie Hicks, son Dyylan Miller, daughter-in-law Kayla Maynard, and grandkids Sebastian Miller and Serenity Miller, his father-in-law and mother in-law Stuart and Valda (Irvin) Smith, his dad and mom Dennis and Annette (Hayball) Hicks, brother and sister-in-law Mitch and Tiffany (Gross) Hicks, brother-in-law and sister Jerry and Traci (Hicks) Santillanes, and his brother Denny Dean Hicks, several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, and his beloved powwow families and all of the kids they brought into his life, all of whom remember his infectious laughter and appreciation for the simple things. He is also survived by his biological father Dennis Phelps, biological sisters Alvina Phelps and Marlene Phelps.
Willie was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Grant and Madeleine (Robinson) Hicks and maternal grandparents Arthur and Erma (Partridge) Hayball, and Uncle Norm Hayball. Willie was preceded in death by his biological mother Adeline (Yupe) Phelps, two biological half siblings who preceded Adeline in death, other biological half siblings Ernestine Pandoah (later known as Catherine Mahoney) and Emmanuel Pandoah.
Willie did not want a formal funeral service, but a traditional ceremonial service for family and friends will take place at a later date on the banks of the Salmon River in Idaho.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Willie’s closest friends for their loving support, and also Good Shepherd Hospice services.
An open house is June 23, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 3060 Teeples Drive in Blackfoot, Idaho at the home of Dennis and Annette Hicks. Please join the family for appetizers, fellowship and celebration of Willie's huge heart. All are invited to bring and share memories of our Brother.
May we all find comfort in our memory of Willie echoing through laughter, rhythm, and love.
Jaylee Wishop
FORT HALL — Jaylee Wishop, 63, passed away Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Bingham Memorial Hospital in Blackfoot.
Jaylee was born March 12, 1962 in Polson, Mont. the daughter of Charlotte M. Teton and Snyder Wishop.
Funeral services are from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at Hawker Funeral Home in Blackfoot. She will be taken to her residence at 713 N. Treaty Highway in Gibson after the service until burial.
Traditional burial is at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at Gibson Cemetery.
Heline Pandoah
FORT HALL — Heline Pandoah passed away on May 23, 2025.
She was born on December 2, 1970 to Emily Nevada and Dewson Pandoah.
Her hobbies were beadworking, listening to music, taking care of her flowers, horses and dogs (Sammie and Brutus).
Survivors are Micheal, Desiree, Clifton, Clayton, Dorah, Beaumont, Justah, her special friend Brian Gilbert, siblings Valerie Devinney and Manuel Devinney.
Preceding her in death is her daughter Desi, husband Tiny Chippewa, grandfather Walter Nevada whom raised her.
Traditional services were on Wednesday May 28, 2025 at Buffalo Lodge. Traditional burial was on Thursday, May 29 at Cedars Cemetery, Fort Hall.
Dathene Ariwite
FORT HALL — Dathene Ariwite of Fort Hall,Idaho passed away on May 28, 2025 surrounded by family.
Dathene was born February 21,1957 in Salmon, Idaho, a daughter of Bill and Bertha Edmo Ariwite.
She graduated from Highland High School in 1975 and completed Office Occupation program in Fort Hall, went on to Idaho State University earning an associate’s degree. She was almost done with achieving her sociology degree at ISU.
Dathene raised her nephew Tobias A. Ariwite as her own son. She worked as a custodian at the Fort Hall Head Start program, and at the Buffalo Horn Grill for many years until she retired.
As a young girl, Dathene spent time helping her grandpa with cattle roundups and branding, and enjoyed fishing trips with her dad. She was close to cousin Rod Ariwite when they were little. Throughout her life she enjoyed watching her favorite football team was the Pittsburgh Steelers and baseball the New York Yankees. She was also a fan of Tiger Woods. She liked listening to Kane Brown. Dathene especially loved crocheting, cooking, reading various romance novels as a young adult, other hobbies included playing stardew valley on her Nintendo switch and playing at the casino. She enjoyed cruising around town and getting her favorite drink a green tea smoothie.
Her nickname from childhood was “Sebo” and “Jib” given by her dad Bill. “Bear” was given to her by her son Toby.
Remaining to cherish Dathene’s memory are her sisters Sharene Ariwite and Berva D. Baker. Nieces Bree and Sydney Baker. Nephews Julian, Koda Ariwite and Maddox Baker all of Fort Hall. And her cousins and other relatives; family friends the Moriarty family.
Preceding Dathene in death: her son Tobias, parents Bill and Bertha, her paternal grandparents Benjamin and Hattie Honena Ariwite, maternal grandparents William Bonatsie and Annie Elk Edmo, sister Donna A. Phelps, brothers Ferlin and Wesley Ariwite.
Funeral and memorial services were June1,2025 at 6 p.m. at Hawker Funeral Home in Blackfoot, Idaho. Interment was in Salmon, Idaho June 2, 2025 at 1 p.m.
