Lance Corporal Dashane Hewankorn
courtesy photo
Lance Corporal Dashane Hewankorn
ELMO – Lance Corporal Dashane Ranell Hewankorn, 23 years of age, made his journey to the ancestors on Oct. 16, 2019, while on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. Dashane was a proud member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes and the Seneca Nation of New York State.
Dashane was born on April 13, 1996, in Ronan, to Celeste Hewankorn and the late Sean Sylvester. Dashane is the eldest with two siblings, Tyrell Sylvester of Great Falls and Caroline Hewankorn of Elmo. He was educated in Polson and Two Eagle River, participating in basketball, football and track. He graduated from Two Eagle River in May 2014. In May 2015, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, with bootcamp at Camp Pendleton and was stationed at Camp Lejuene, North Carolina.
Throughout his life, Dashane made many, many friends, far and wide, who will miss him dearly. He loved playing video games with friends, such as Korbyn, Kellen, Kaleb, and Nataous, just to name a few. He loved hunting and as a young child he went with his grandparents, Levi and Bonnie and also with his uncle Willie Andrew. When older, he hunted with Isiah Matt and others. Believe it or not, when he was about five years old, he excelled in the gambling game, playing blackjack or stickgame. He would return to his grandma Geraldine’s food stand at Arlee Pow Wow, dirty, with wads of money in his pockets. As an adult, he loved to go to the casino with Gerald and usually made a max bet, oftentimes winning big. He loved to watch movies. He and his Auntie Reyna could recite the entire movie after only one viewing. He also loved watching movies with many of his friends and they always had a great time. While still in high school, he would often have his baby sister Caroline in tow wherever he went. So many of his friends and their parents knew little Caroline to the astonishment of their mom. As a kid, Dashane was well-known by his family for his daredevil antics, sometimes scratching up his little face trying to jump a curb or other exciting things. We wondered if he would have teeth when he grew up.
He used to love to argue with his younger cousin, Dominique. One time, Dashane’s mom had enough and taped them back to back with electrical tape. They had to cooperate with each other in order to get from point A to point B. They laughed and got along well after that. While in high school, he was well known for his undying dedication to daily trips to McDonald’s and would usually get Kayson hooked-up too. According to his mom, Dashane was the easiest kid to raise, he “made parenting easy” and as an adult, was a good guy. He had a kind heart for all people and animals, making fast friends everywhere he went. He loved all the pets at his grandparents’ house or his auntie Dacia’s black lab puppies, when he was a kid. He had an infectious smile and a sweet disposition.
Dashane had meme followers on Facebook and put up memes that were risqué or hilarious. Dashane had the best “Bear Hugs” ever. He was well known for them and when you got one, you were forever changed. One time he accidentally cracked his grandma Bonnie’s rib, he was very contrite but that did not stop him giving them out.
There are many friends and relatives who have great stories about our D, his family sure would love to hear some of them.
Dashane leaves behind his mother, Celeste Hewankorn and his step-father Mario Bagola; his sister, Caroline; his brother, Tyrell Sylvester; his grandparents, Levi and Bonnie Hewankorn; his great-grandparents, Thomas and Susan Antiste; and his great-grandmother, Alice Hewankorn; his Aunties and Uncles: Dacia (Mickey) Fisher, Cindy Charlo, Pam Antiste (Carlie), Mary Antiste, K’la Antiste (Abe), uncle Robert (Gabriela) Paulite, uncle Ernie, auntie Rosalee Roberson, uncle Willie Andrew, aunt Valerie, uncle Dewey and uncle Wes Sylvester, uncle TJ Hewankorn (Davida), aunties Ashley and Charleen Hewankorn, uncle and auntie Raymond (Sharon) Antiste, uncle and auntie Joe (Tracy) Antiste, uncle Rising Sun Sylvester, uncle and auntie Tai Trahan (Monique), Liz Cannon; and his Marine Corps brothers and sisters (oorah!!); and numerous beloved cousins, family members and dear friends.
Dashane joined his father, Sean Sylvester; his great-grandfather, Charlie Hewankorn; his great great-grandparents, Joseph and Mary Antiste; his uncle, Laverne Hewankorn; his uncle, Jimmy Hewankorn; his auntie Charlotte Hewankorn; his auntie, Reyna Sylvester; his grandparents, Geraldine Trahan and Dave Sylvester; his auntie, Edna Lefthand; his uncle, Louie Charlo; and his cousin, Shade Birdrattler and his besties - Isiah Peter Matt, Gerald Hamel and Olijah James.
Services with full military honors have taken place. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.thelakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
