Philip Milton Francisco, Nimkee Anquet (Thunder Cloud), 58, of Portage, died Wednesday, May 8, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.Born June 3, 1959, in Sisseton, SD, he was the son of Noel and the late Barbara Francisco and was the husband of Angeline Kay (Bush) Francisco.
Philip was a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe and was a supporter of the American Indian Movement. He was a Native American traditional drum singer and dancer with Star Singers, White Thunder and Sons of the Three Fires drumming groups. He also played guitar in a band. Classic rock was his favorite music.
Philip was always an avid sports enthusiast. While in school he set many records on the swim team, played hockey and loved running.
Philip graduated from Kalamazoo Valley Community College where he studied computers and had worked many years as a landscaper.
Besides his father and his wife of thirty-six years, he is survived by his children, Yebishawn Oldshield and Thunder Oldshield; six grandchildren, Autumn Curtis, April Curtis, Angel Curtis, George Webber, II, Alyssa McGillis and Louis McGillis; great-grandson Aikee; siblings, Lee Francisco, Sue Halla, Becky Staton, Mercy Young, Maggie King and Retta Merritt; in-laws, Mae and Steve Pego, Charles Barker and Carolyn Bush; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his mother, he was preceded in death by his brother, Fabian; parents-in-law, Frank and Marceline Bush; sister-in-law, Carol Barker; and brother-in-law, John Bush.
Burial services will take place at noon Saturday, May 12, at the Jijak Camp, Hopkins Township. Friends may visit at any time prior. Burial will follow in the Bradley Indian Mission Cemetery.
