Robert J. Ironmaker, Jr., 57, passed away due to natural causes at Billings Clinic on Saturday, March 9, 2024.   Robert's wake will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 15, 2024, and his funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2024, all at the Red Whip Center in Fort Belknap.  Burial will follow in the Pony Hill Cemetery.  Robert would like memorial donations to be made to the Urban Indian Health Programs in Billings.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Robert was born on September 23, 1966, in Long Beach, CA, to Robert and Marjorie (Stiffarm) Ironmaker, Sr. He was raised with his siblings in Long Beach, Mandaree, ND, Lapwai, ID, Rocky Boy, and Fort Belknap, graduating from Harlem High School in 1985. Robert attended the University of Montana, graduating with his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. He had a daughter, Roberta, and several years later, Robert married Cinda Burd, adding her children to the family.

Robert enjoyed singing, movies, listening to music, hiking, traveling, community events, and Pow Wows. He was a champion Fancy Dancer, and was an Indigenous Games trainer. Over the years, Robert sang with many drum groups, his first was Running Child, and his last drum was Eagle Whistles. All of the drums he sang with were very important to him, but are too numerous to name all of them. He also really loved music, but his tastes were eclectic, and naming all of the music he loved would take up a full page. Robert really loved his work, and spent time there as though it, too, were a hobby.

Robert was a business manager, working over the years for the Fort Belknap Indian Community, Urban Indian Health (National, State, and County levels), National Council of Urban Indian Health, Urban Indian Health Institute, the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, the Native American Development Corporation, and the Indian Health Board of Billings. He also worked as a police officer for the Fort Belknap Law Enforcement and Court System.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie Ironmaker; and grandparents, James and Margaret (Wind Chief) Ironmaker and Tom and Vina (Birdtail) Stiffarm sister Shawna Plain Bull.

Robert is survived by his wife, Cinda Ironmaker; children, Roberta Ironmaker, and Devin, Chelsey, and Derrick Meineke; grandchildren, McKayla, Anna Marie, Mia, Evyn, Darcey, Izzy, Mia, Miles, and Joseph; his beloved cat, Gallagher; father, Robert J. Ironmaker (Lorette Bell); siblings, Shawn and Lisa Ironmaker; nieces, Brittney and Tyra; nephews, Morie (Xavier), Dakota Ironmaker; adopted brothers, Ron Doney, Jr., Dominic Messerly, Lenny Beaver, Tony Earthboy, Stan Whiteman, Kevin Kicking Woman, LD. Irvine, Mike Smith, Damon Brady, Clay Crawford, Sherwin "Stickman" Obey, Kyle Stiffarm, Dennis Limberhand, Michael Cochran, Walter Runs Above, Jason Belcourt, Pete White, Bruce White, Mike Lafromboise, Loren Bell, Dmatt Speak Thunder, JC Beaumont, Matt Bell, Michael Shields and Arnold Calf Boss Ribs; adopted sisters, Alana, Marcella, Santee, and Memorie; and numerous extended family and many, many friends.

Robert's family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Native American Development Corporation/Billings Urban Indian Health & Wellness, US Denver Health, and the Billings Clinic Staff and Nurses. A very special thanks to Dr.s Trostel and McGuire, RNs Brandy, Lesa, Michelle, Tamara, Anna Whiting Sorrell and Lesa Evers, the Fort Belknap Community council, Angie Brockie, Katy Jo Filesteel, Pamela Gone, Eleanor Yellow Robe, Patrice Adams, Tyann Calf Robe, Marilyn Klein, Mary Walks Over Ice, Chris O'Brien, Sue Taylor, Dee Dee Smith, and Jenny Denny.