Edwin Arionus

Edwin Arionus, a Lab retiree and resident of Spearfish, S. D. died May 9. He was 81.

Born to Edwin and Mildred (Nelson) Arionus Sr., on Oct. 8, 1928, he attended school in Lead, S.D. until the age of 13 and moved to California with his parents to work in the shipyards during the war. He attended school in California for three more years before returning to Lead and graduating from high school in 1946.

He served in the U. S. Army for two years, where he met and married LaVerne Penitel. He worked for many years at LLNL. After retirement he came back to the Black Hills of South Dakota and married Raetta Enderby on Sept. 21, 1991.

Arionus enjoyed fishing, swimming and long drives throughout the hills.

He is survived by his wife, Raetta; sister, Donna Scott; brother, Steve Arionus, of California; son, Keith Arionus; stepsons, Steve and Jim Geffre; and stepdaughter, Cindy Gerleman. He was preceded in death by his first wife, LaVerne; sisters, Betty, Marcia, MiMi and Mary, all of California.

Services were held May 12 at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, S.D. Online condolences may be placed on the Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel Website.

Contributions may be made in Arionus' name to benefit the American Heart Association.