Macelwayne James Bear

Macelwayne J. Bear, 35 of the Spirit Lake Nation, passed away on Monday, July 12, 2021, at his home.

The Wake for Macelwayne will be on Sunday, July 18, 2021, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at his home.  The procession to his home will leave from City Plaza, Devils Lake on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.  Funeral Services will be on Monday, July 19, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Dakotah Oyate Lutheran Church with burial in the Bdecan Presbyterian Cemetery.

Macelwayne James, son of Milton Green and Sonya Bear was born on August 5, 1985, in Devils Lake ND.  He grew up in the Wood Lake area, attended school in Fort Totten, Sheyenne and Devils Lake ND, Logan, Utah and Pierre, South Dakota. With hard work and determination, he received his GED.

Macelwayne felt blessed to be able to work for Duane Smith and Terry Smith for several years.  He loved horses and they were wonderful mentors and teachers.  Macelwayne eventually was able to break horses, train horses and even did some buying and selling of horses.  Macelwayne had many other talents and was a self-made carpenter and mechanic.  He undertook many construction projects.  He built, wired, plumbed an addition on his house, built a deck and garage among many other projects. As a mechanic-Macelwayne could fix anything with a motor.  From a young age, he was very inquisitive and always wanted to know how things worked. 

Macelwayne loved all kinds of animals and always had a dog at his side.  He participated in many rodeos as a bull rider.  In his younger years he was an incredibly talented Grass Dancer. 

We can’t imagine life without Macelwayne, but we will treasure our memories of him and keep him forever in our hearts.

Macelwayne’s loving family include his parents Milton Green of Tokio ND; mother Sonya Bear Knox of Fort Totten; children Rosalita and Johnathon; brothers Elwayne Green, William Demarce and Joshua Hoffner; sisters Evangelita Shortman and Amanda Sherman; aunts and uncles Alvin and Lavern Bear, Anita Bear, George Green, Diane Jackson, Lawrence Green Jr., Doris Longie, Marvine Eliserio, Robert (Marcella) Green, Richard (Shirley) Green, Ross Green and Charlene (Jerry) Green; special cousins Sherri Longie and Anthony Touche; many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his brothers Delwayne Green, Milton Green Jr. and Dietrich Knox Jr., sisters Lindsey Knox and Crystal Green, his grandparents and many dear aunts and uncles. 

Pallbearers will be Riley Smith, Anthony Guy, Elwayne Green, Johnathon Bear, Curtis Longie and Robert Green.  Honorary Bearers Duane Smith and family, Terry Smith and family, Rodney Smith and family, Darrel Smith and family, Dennis Smith and family, Kelly Touche, Henrietta and all of Macelwayne’s friends and relatives.