Justin Ryan “Ak wa be” Pahmahmie, 39, of Mayetta, KS, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS. He was born April 19, 1986 in Topeka, KS, the son of Richard, Jr. and Pamela (Brewer) Pahmahmie. He was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

Justin graduated from Royal Valley High School in 2004. He graduated from Haskell Indian Nations University with a Golf Scholarship. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Kansas with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting in 2010 and earned his Executive Masters Degree of Business Administration in 2022 at Michigan State University Eli Broad College of Business.

He was the Assistant General Manager of Tribal Operations for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. He was the Treasurer for the Board of Directors at Prairie Band Casino and Resort and a member of the APA Pool League.

Justin loved to travel and enjoyed attending concerts. He was an avid Denver Broncos fan and he loved to golf. He previously worked for other Potawatomi Bands such as Gun Lake Potawatomi-Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish; Pokagan Band of Potawatomi and Forest County Potawatomi in Milwaukee, WI. Justin’s goal in life was to get his education and gain employment experience and bring that knowledge back to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

Survivors include his parents, Richard and Pamela Pahmahmie of Mayetta, KS; brother, Zach Pahmahmie of Mayetta, KS; 2 sisters, Richele Pahmahmie and Tamara Pahmahmie (Junior Ramirez) both of Mayetta, KS; 2 adopted brothers, Curtis Keltner (Katherine) of Texas and Michael Keltner (Linda) of Topeka, KS; 2 beloved cats, Harry and Lloyd and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 29, 2025 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Drum Service will be Tuesday evening, December 30, 2025 at Danceground Building on the reservation. Burial will be Wednesday afternoon at Wahwaksum Cemetery. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.