Ernest Ryan Burnette, Sr. |
| Posted 2009-11-05 by Sharla |
| Black's Mortuary, Show Low, Arizona Ernest Ryan Burnette, Sr. (December 10, 1936 - November 2, 2009) Ernest Ryan Burnette, Sr., 72, of Whiteriver, a well known White Mountain Apache Medicine Man, passed away Monday, November 2, 2009, at a Mesa hospital. He was born December 10, 1936, at Cedar Creek, the son of John and Julia (Standing) Burnett. He was raised and attended school at Cedar Creek. He was married to the former Reva White on August 18, 1978, in Phoenix. He had been a Medicine Man for the past fifty years. He had been featured in National Geographic, Arizona Highways and was showcased in the Heard Museum. He was known throughout the Southwest and was frequently called to other reservations for his services. He had officiated 395 Sun Rise Dances. He was an artist and did oil painting. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, keeping his yard and going to the casino. He will be remembered as a joker with a great sense of humor. In his younger years he attended the Whiteriver Lutheran Church. Survivors include his wife, Reva, of the home; four daughters, Mae Burnette, Dorene and husband Vernell Gatewood, Jr., Julie and husband Keith Lavender, Ernestine Burnette; seven sons, Glenn and wife Sadie Burnette, Harris Burnette, Bruce and wife Renee Burnette, Joe Tenijieth, Jeffery and wife Darylen Burnette, Daryl and wife Regina Tenijieth, Ernest R. Burnette, Jr.; four sisters, Charlene James, Imogene Burnette, Cynthia Burnette and Karen Ortiz; three brothers, Jasper Burnette, Erwin Burnette and Darrell Paxson; 33 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren; four traditional God daughters, Lorraine John, Shawna Shorty, Carol Hinton and Elmaria Tortice. A wake will begin at 10:00 A.M., Friday, at the residence, 209 S. 5th Avenue in Whiteriver. Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M., Sunday, at the Aday Memorial Hall in Whiteriver with Edmond Cosay officiating. Burial will follow at the Morning Dove Cemetery in Cedar Creek. See Also: Find A Grave |
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