Vernon Ernie "Namen" Shopteese, Jr. (Nam-mah-kweh), 34, of Falls City, Nebraska, formerly of Horton, Kansas died Thursday, January 17, 2008 at a Falls City hospital. He was born November 13, 1973 in Horton, the son of Vernon Shopteese, Sr. and Penelope Keesis Shopteese-McCrory.
He graduated from Horton High School and and Highland Community College. He had lived on the Kickapoo Reservation before moving to Falls City 13 years ago. He most recently had worked as lead man at Crosswinds Industries at Sabetha. He was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
He was married to Tonya L. Hayes on September 23, 2000 in Falls City. She survives. Other survivors include his son, Ty James Shopteese and daughter, Jocie Lynn Shopteese both of the home; his sisters, Dora Pelkey and Doris Shopteese; his brother, James Shopteese and his adopted mother, Whitebird. He was preceded in death by his brother, Ronnie Shopteese.
Drum Services will be Saturday evening, January 19, 2008 at the Kickapoo Community Building west of Horton. Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning at the Mason Cemetery.