EAGLE BUTTE, SD – Jeffrey Four Bear, 55, of Eagle Butte, journeyed to the spirit world on Friday, May 15, 2026, in Bismarck, ND.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 21, 2026, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte. Burial will follow in Ascension Episcopal Cemetery, Blackfoot. Wake services will be 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at the church with a procession from the 4-mile at 5:30 p.m.
He was born on September 28, 1970, in Eagle Butte, SD to Charleen Four Bear and Kenneth Arpan. His grandparents were Hazel and Joe Paul Four Bear and Florence and Steve Arpan. He was also a proud descendant of Elizabeth Walking Crane, Chief Four Bear, Chief Lame Deer, Chief Gall, and Chief Swift Bird.
In his early years, Jeffrey lived in the Swiftbird Projects and Marksville area along the Missouri River and in the beloved shadow of the Old Cheyenne River Agency. He was a child of the prairie and had tales of many, many adventures including looking up to his cool uncles, being nurtured by his grandmother Hazel, mother, and aunties, and fighting rattlesnakes with his cousins Jaime, Jewel, and brother, Eddie. As a child, Jeffrey was gifted with a little motorbike and was constantly bopping around Swiftbird, borrowing gasoline from people, often giving people rides through the community, while having the time of his life with the wind in his hair and not a care in the world. He loved his community.
Jeffrey attended school at the Swiftbird Day School and graduated from Flandreau Indian School in 1988 as the President of the Class. It is rumored he took Jackie Bird to the prom, but that is yet to be confirmed…lol. After high school, he proudly enlisted in and served in the US Marine Corps, and his little brother, Eddie, soon followed. Jeffrey was a true patriot for justice and remained a staunch and lifelong supporter and advocate of those who served in the military services. Jeffrey was a firm believer in the Native Warrior Spirit, working for the greater good of others, and was inspired by the long line of warriors and service persons within his family lineage.
Jeffrey later continued his education by earning a degree in Business Administration through United Tribes Technical College. He was an avid reader and continuously sought knowledge of our Native and US history, politics, religion, current events, and anything else you can think of. Throughout his lifetime, Jeffrey built an extensive knowledge-base and career with certifications, education, and experience in commercial construction, residential construction, and HVAC. Jeffrey shared a time or two, “If you can’t be handsome, be handy…like me, not all of us are lucky to be both!” He also spent time volunteering when he could and was always willing to help others who had a true need.
Jeffrey was also a great storyteller and always had funny jokes, great memories, words of positive encouragement, or adventurous tales to share with others. They typically started with, “This one time…” or “Now hold on…”. Some of those adventures took him to Reykjavik, Iceland; Reno, NV; Dutch Harbor, AK; Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Nebraska, just to name a few. His jovial laughter and smile will be missed.
Among his many accomplishments, Jeffrey was most proud of his children, Zoey Elizabeth Four Bear, Kaitlyn Shawn Miner, and Riley Quin Miner. He is loved dearly and will be missed by his mother, Charleen Four Bear, his extensive family members, a few lucky ladies, and many, many friends throughout his lifetime.
Jeffrey is survived by mother, Charleen Four Bear; father, Kenneth Arpan; daughters, Zoey Elizabeth Four Bear and Kaitlyn S. Miner & family; son, Riley Q. Miner; grandchildren, Sidney Channing Old Elk and Mikayla Kate Old Elk; niece, Caeley J. Woods; brothers: Robert Woods Jr. (Brittany Colombe-Woods) & family, David Woods (Dee Bowker) & family, Kola Eagle Hunter & family, Kyle Eagle Hunter (Morgan Ward) & family; cousins: Jamie Gunderson & family, Wanda Gunville & family, Mona Schell & family, Rhonda Rousseau & family; niece Molly Rousseau & family; cousins: Moreau Four Bear & family, Mariah Yellow Fox & family, Leanne Knight & family, Curtis Woody Marshall, Jr.; sisters: Valerie Arpan & family, Misty Arpan & family; brothers: Seth Hawkens & family, Alan Arpan & family, Leal Arpan & family; aunts Doretta Bowker & family and Lisa Four Bear & family; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and other loved ones.
Jeffrey is preceded in death by his beloved grandparents; brother, Edward Gunderson; nieces, Sarah Gunderson and Anaya Wolf-Woods; sister, Suzanne Woods; aunts: Cheryl Four Bear, Deanna Andrews, Odette Garreaux, Jennifer Molash; cousins: Marlo Yellow Fox, Jewel Gunderson; uncles: Mike Four Bear, Eugene Four Bear, Curtis Marshall Sr., Keith Marshall; and other cousins and family members.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Jeffrey’s arrangements.
