Funeral services for Principal Chief Mikko Colabe III Clem Fain Sylestine, 91, of the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation, will be held Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the Alabama-Coushatta Multi-Purpose Center with Elder Deborah Battise-Klineman, CRE officiating. Interment will follow in the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2019 in the Alabama-Coushatta Multi-Purpose Center.

Principal Chief Mikko Colabe III was born November 4, 1927, on the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation to parents, Bronson Cooper Sylestine and Mosanna (Thompson) Sylestine. Principal Chief Mikko Colabe III is a direct descendant of Sub-Chief Colabe, along with the Principal Chief Antone around 1806 and is of the Granddaddy Long Legs Clan. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Leona Abbey Sylestine; son, Gregory Sylestine; sisters, Emily Jake, Cora Sylestine, and Martha Sylestine; and brothers, James Sylestine and Edwin Sylestine.

During his life, Principal Chief Mikko Colabe III graduated from Austin College in Sherman, Texas with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He became an educator and coach for Southmayd High School, Holland High School, Shepherd High School, Woodville ISD, and Goodrich ISD. He retired from teaching in 1988 and began a career with the Sam Houston Electric Cooperative. While employed with SHECO, Principal Chief Mikko Colabe III accepted a position to work directly with his people as JTPA Job Developer. Since then, Mikko Colabe III served his people on the Tribal Council and as Tribal Council Chairman. On October 19, 1994, he was elected by the members of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe to serve as their Second Chief. On Saturday, October 5, 2013, during a Nominations meeting, the membership in attendance voted to select Second Chief Sylestine as Principal Chief of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe. Along with these accomplishments, he served as an Elder in the Indian Village Presbyterian Church which is located on the reservation.

He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Anderson of Livingston, Texas; granddaughter, Elizabeth Sendelbach and husband, Ryan of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandson, Christopher Anderson of Kyle, Texas; and great-grandsons,  PFC Benjamin Sylestine of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Morgan Anderson of Livingston, Texas, Aden Anderson of Houston, Texas, and Laine Sylestine of Colorado Springs, Colorado; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers: Edmond Bullock, Sage Beene, Colby Whitethunder, Colton Whitethunder, Mason Alexander, PFC Benjamin Anderson Sylestine

Honorary Pallbearers: Laine Sylestine, Aden Anderson, Morgan Anderson, Chris Anderson, SPC Ryan Sendelbach