Richard Pahmahmie Jr. 1948-2026
Richard “Chief” “Tug-nah-ba” Pahmahmie Jr., 77, of Mayetta, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.
He was born July 24, 1948, in Holton, the son of Richard “Dick” Pahmahmie, Sr. and Josie (Wamego) Pahmahmie.
Richard graduated from Mayetta High School in 1966 and he attended Haskell University. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1988.
He worked in maintenance for Prairie Band Nation for 20 years, retiring in 2014. In early years, he worked for Pahmahmie Construction for five years.
Richard was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Drum Religion and We-Ta-Se Post 410.
He married Pamela Brewer on May 5, 1995, in Topeka. They celebrated more than 29 years of marriage and had been together since 1981.
Survivors include his children, Richele Pahmahmie, Tamara Pahmahmie (Junior Ramirez) and Zach Pahmahmie, all of Mayetta; adopted children, Gaynell Jessepe, Gilreath Aitkens and Robert Jessepe (Cecily), all of Mayetta, Curtis Keltner (Katherine) of Texas and Michael Keltner (Linda) of Topeka; adopted granddaughter, Gea Jefferson; two sisters, Dolly Richard (Mike) and Anita Evans (Mando), both of Mayetta; two brothers, Lawrence Pahmahmie and Alan “Boney” Pahmahmie (Brenda), both of Mayetta; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Josie Pahmahmie; a son, Justin R. Pahmahmie; an adopted son, Merle Jessepe; a sister, Phyllis Dunn; and four brothers, Merle “Tuffy,” Albert, Henry and Roy Pahmahmie.
Family will greet friends from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Drum and wake services will be held Tuesday evening, Feb. 10 at the Danceground Building. Burial with military honors will be held Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 11 at Wahwaksum Cemetery.
To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
