September 28, 1970 – May 15, 2026_____________________________________
Jeffrey Four Bear, 55, of Eagle Butte journeyed to the spirit world on Friday, May 15, 2026, in Bismarck, ND.
Funeral services were held May 21 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Eagle Butte. Burial was at Ascension Episcopal Cemetery at Blackfoot.
Jeffery was born on September 28, 1970, in Eagle Butte to Charleen Four Bear and Kenneth Arpan. His grandparents were Hazel and Joe Paul Four Bear and Florence and Steve Arpan. He was 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.
Jeffrey attended the Swiftbird Day School and graduated from Flandreau Indian School in 1988 as president of his class.
He served in the US Marine Corps. Jeffrey was a patriot for justice and remained a staunch and lifelong supporter and advocate of those who served in the military services. He 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 earned a degree in Business Administration through United Tribes Technical College. He built an extensive knowledge-base and career with certifications, education, and experience in commercial construction, residential construction, and HVAC. He spent time volunteering when he could and was always willing to help others who had a true need.
Jeffrey is survived by his mother, Charleen Four Bear; father Kenneth Arpan; daughters Zoey Elizabeth Four Bear and Kaitlyn S. Miner; son Riley Q. Miner; grandchildren Sidney Channing Old Elk and Mikayla Kate Old Elk; nieces Molly Rousseau and Caeley J. Woods; brothers Robert Woods Jr. (Brittany Colombe-Woods), David Woods (Dee Bowker), Kola Eagle Hunter, and Kyle Eagle Hunter (Morgan Ward); sisters Valerie Arpan and Misty Arpan; brothers Seth Hawkens, Alan Arpan, and Leal Arpan; aunts Doretta Bowker and Lisa Four Bear; and numerous other loved ones.
Jeffrey is preceded in death by his grandparents; brother Edward Gunderson; nieces Sarah Gunderson and Anaya Wolf-Woods; sister Suzanne Woods; aunts Cheryl Four Bear, Deanna Andrews, Odette Garreaux and Jennifer Molash; cousins Marlo Yellow Fox and Jewel Gunderson; uncles Mike Four Bear, Eugene Four Bear, Curtis Marshall Sr. and Keith Marshall; and other family members.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.