MCLAUGHLIN, SD – Patrick James Diver Jr., 41, of McLaughlin, entered the spirit world on Sunday, July 5, 2026, in McLaughlin, SD.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. MDT, Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Cherry Creek Gym. Burial will follow in the UCC Cemetery, Cherry Creek. A wake service will be 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the gym with a procession from 2 miles east of Cherry Creek at 4:00 p.m.
Patrick James Diver Jr. made his appearance in this world on May 21, 1985, in Pierre, South Dakota, born to Patrick Diver Sr. and Janet Hale. Patrick attended school in Eagle Butte, SD, as well as the Pierre Learning Center, and later on earned his General Education Diploma.
Patrick was also a hard worker. He was a true “Jack-of-all-Trades.” He worked various jobs. He currently worked for Brandon and Carolyn Volk, as their ranch hand. He took care of their cattle and horses, did odd jobs like building decks and additions to their ranch. In earlier years, he also tended livestock in Wagner, Pierre and Yankton, S.D. He also worked at the Black Bear Casino in Carlton, Minn. He will be missed in McLaughlin, S.D., where he raked leaves for residents in the fall, shoveled snow in the winter, picked sage in the spring and harvested traditional foods and medicines in the summer.
Patrick enjoyed working on cars, playing cards, and also played basketball, and enjoyed fishing. He was also a skilled beader. He also had the knowledge of the old ways of picking berries, Cha’sa’sa and Timpsila. He loved football and was a Greenbay Packer fan.
Patrick got the most joy out of making people laugh. He was always respectful, kind and caring.
Patrick is survived by his children, Owen Diver, Jordanna Diver, A’Den Kingsley, and his baby girl, Journey Diver; sisters, Sarah Diver, Cloquet, Minn., her children, Myra, Myron and Sadie Slides Off; Shiela Diver, (Dawayne), Sioux Falls, S.D., and her children, Kasey and Peyton LeClaire and Danah Diver; brother, Grandon Diver, Fargo, N.D. and Grandon’s children, Anpetu, Spencer, Avire, Grandon, Jessy, Billy, Karen, Kinlye, Kile and Keynaine; aunts, Avis Red Bear, (Bobby) of McLaughlin, Naomi Folson of Little Eagle, S.D.; uncles, Walter Hanson, Garnette Black Bear, Maverick Black Bear, of Eagle Butte, S.D., Sonny Hayes of Rapid City, S.D., Russell Benoist of Eagle Butte, S.D.; aunts, Debbie Bowker, Ivory Three Legs, Debbie Hayes, Reva Hayes, Terry Hayes, LaVae Hayes, Sharon Hayes; grandmother, Betty Handley; aunts and uncles, Skoshie, Lori, David and Bobbie Jo Handley; special cousins, Logan and Louie Hayes, Anthony, Walter Jr. and Sam Hanson, Leslie Jr., and Loren Hanson, Shelby and Sheldon Good Eagle, Catlyn Little Eagle, Gaylan Little Eagle Jr., Francis Janis, Blaze, Chante and Austin Thundershield, Vine and David Hayes; Jaimie Rose Little Eagle, Akisha U Janis, Amy, Ayla and Anetha Thundershield, Priscilla, Prudence and Antoinette Hanson, Robin, Kevin, Peggy, Keith and Darrell Gunhammer, Michelle, Melanie, Leland, Allen and Nathan Benoist; and relatives on the Diver side include, uncle’s and aunt’s, Paul Diver, Suzi Brisbois, Ernie Diver, Pamela Diver, Roxanne Diver, Keith Diver, and Kelly Diver.
Patrick was preceded in death by his father, Patrick Diver Sr. and his mother, Janet Hale; paternal grandparents, Ernie and Judy Diver; Pat Diver Sr.’s twin sister Patricia Diver, who died at birth; maternal grandparents, Owen and Sadie Hale, grandmother, Marie Hayes; uncles, Ronnie Hayes, Darnell Hayes, Waldron Hayes, Leslie Hanson Sr., Kenny Horsley; and uncle, Michael Handley and aunt, Kim Handley.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Patrick’s arrangements.

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