Sloan Fanning Obituary

Sloan was born on April 4, 1971 in Martin, South Dakota, the fourth child of Joel Richard "Dick" and Iris (Campbell) Fanning. The family lived outside of Martin until 1979, when they moved to Oelrichs, South Dakota. While attending school at Oelrichs, Sloan was active in sports, but found his true passion of playing the trumpet. It was one of the things he turned to when his mother, Iris, passed away in 1987, after a battle with cancer.

Upon his high school graduation from Oelrichs in 1989, he began college at Chadron State College, but transferred to the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley in 1991. He graduated from UNC with a music performance degree. Classmates at both schools found him friendly, fiercely loyal, and passionate about the things he cared for in life, which included his friends and family.
After graduation, Sloan began his musical career, sharing his mind-blowing musical prowess at Disney in Florida, Carnival Cruise Lines, and in Las Vegas. It was during his time with Carnival that he met Carol Thornley. They married and decided to settle and raise their family in Colorado.

In 2003, they welcomed son, Campbell, whom Sloan was incredibly proud of. His biggest joys in life were watching Campbell play baseball and football, and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with him fishing, watching television, or spending time outside with all the dogs.

While living in Fort Collins, Sloan was able to continue with his music and played with bands in the area including local band, Archie Funker. He performed with them for over 10 years in northern Colorado, and was able to continue playing his trumpet with the passion he exhibited his entire career. He also made deep friendships with his fellow band members during this time.

In 2021, Sloan reconnected with a former college classmate from Chadron State College, Christine Fankhauser. They became engaged and were planning their wedding at the time of his death. They had recently purchased a home north of Hemingford, Nebraska, which he called their treehouse.

Sloan was a man who loved and feared God, and was always ready to share his faith. He took great honor in praying for those in need, whether it was family, friends, or a stranger. He was always known for shooting straight from the hip and was never one to mince words when it came to telling the truth. What you saw was what you got with him, and he was 100% genuine in every way, shape, and form. When you had Sloan as a friend, he would be a warrior to help fight your battles if they ever arose.

Survivors include his son, Campbell, of Fort Collins, CO; fiancé Chris Fankhauser of Hemingford; sisters Morgan (James) Chadwick of Sandia, TX, and Regan Kirchner of Casper, WY; brother Shane Fanning of Long Valley, SD; step-mother Lorena Fanning of Minnesota; as well as three nephews: Joel and Cameron Kirchner, and William Chadwick, uncles, aunts, and cousins, and very close family friends, the Dunbars. Sloan is also survived by his faithful canine companions, Drake and Ted.

Sloan was preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Iris; and brother-in-law Kenny Kirchner.

A rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in Martin.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 22, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish with Father Tyler Dennis as celebrant.

After cremation, burial will be at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Martin.

Service Details

ROSARY SERVICE
Thursday, April 21, 2022 - 7 p.m.
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish
Martin, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Friday, April 22, 2022 - 11:00 a.m.
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish
Martin, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Tyler Dennis

MUSIC
Marj Frew - James Begeman - Anthony Kathol
“Amazing Grace”
“It Is Well With My Soul”

LECTORS
Morgan Chadwick - Joel Kirchner

ALTAR SERVERS
Gabe Fanning - Jace Harris - Kade Harris - William Chadwick

PALLBEARERS
Jason Fanning - Josh Fanning - Rhett Fanning
James Chadwick - Jeff Koska - Paul Klas

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT FOLLOWING CREMATION
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery
Martin, South Dakota

Guest Book

Sloan - I was thinking of you and wondering how you are. I've done that from time to time over the years. I was always glad to read that you were still hitting those high notes!! Although I looked for you, I decided never to reach out, for various reasons. Just yesterday I thought of you again. I searched your name as I'd done in the past, only this time I learned that you're gone. My heart sank. I'm that pesky violinist-Freshman at UNC who completely & totally adored you.... and the entire school of music knew it!!! I remember the night we met. You were practicing a few rooms over from me.... or maybe it was across the hall... you were obviously loud! I stopped practicing and marched right over to your room with my young-confident-brace-face-immature self just to tell you how awesome you sounded!! We talked for a long time, and I fell for you in a matter of moments... and well.... you know the rest. Thank you for putting up with my shenanigans. Thank you for being my friend.
It looks like you had a very happy life. You have a handsome son and a beautiful fiancé. I have no doubt they miss you terribly. I don't know how you passed away, but I know that learning of your loss put a knot in my stomach.
We never kept in touch, but I never forgot about you. I'm glad you loved Jesus, because there is no doubt you are spending each day in His presence. Because if that, I know I'll see you again one day my old friend.
Thank you for making my first year of college one that I'll never forget. You are unforgettable.
~ Stephanie Wilson Colorado (7/13/2023)

Wish I could have reconnected with Sloan.
Prayers and Peace to Family and Friends.

~ Todd Hills Hot Springs (4/18/2022)

Always for Sloan...Love and prayers.

~ Camillus Blait Spearfish (4/18/2022)

Thoughts and prayers to his family and close friends.

~ Shanna Ferley Sandal Box Elder, South Dakota (4/18/2022)

God rest his soul. Prayers for family and Chris.
~ John Fanning Pierce, NE (4/22/2022)

Sorry to hear about Sloan's passing.

~ Casey Coomes Castle Rock (4/18/2022)

I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
~ Kari Britain Cedar Falls, IA (4/25/2022)

Gone to soon.
Heaven done called another trumpet player back home.
Must be one hell of a band.
~ Bob Fanning Chandler, AZ (4/21/2022)

So sorry to Sloan's family. Too young to go, he's ripping it up there playing with the angels. Vicki
~ Vicki (Hagman) Russ Wenatchee, WA (4/22/2022)

Sloan is a talented trumpet player and witty, sarcastic guy. He's part of the angel choir now. Sloan will be missed.
~ MaryAnn Fanning Vetal (4/22/2022)

Sloan will be missed. I got to know him during the Archie Funker years. Singing and dancing with him on stage and laughing together off stage. I got to have a few beers with him after our reunion gig in September 2021. I'm so glad I got one last laugh with him.
~ Lindsey J Cartier (4/26/2022)

Sloan Fanning

of Hemmingford, Nebraska, formerly of Martin, South Dakota, died on Thursday, April 7, 2022
at Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, Nebrsaka at the age of 51

Service Details

Guest Book

Flowers

Sloan Fanning

of Hemmingford, Nebraska, formerly of Martin, South Dakota, died on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, Nebrsaka at the age of 51

Service Details

Guest Book

Flowers

of Hemmingford, Nebraska, formerly of Martin, South Dakota, died on Thursday, April 7, 2022
at Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, Nebrsaka at the age of 51