Obituary: Arthur Walunas, 85, Utah, formerly of Custer.

Arthur Charles Walunas

Obituary: Arthur Walunas, 85, Utah, formerly of Custer. 

Arthur Charles Walunas, 85, of Utah, formerly of Custer, died on March 5, 2017. Art was born Nov. 14, 1931 in Ludington, the son of Art and Anna (Donnora) Walunas, and grew up in Custer. He graduated from Custer High School in 1950.

He was a man of many talents. Always ready with a song or a tune, played on his magical squeeze-box, the accordion. His 1963 “hit” recording of “In Heaven There Is No Beer” began his journey of musical trails that would lead him from the polka dance halls of the Mid-west, to the pro rodeo trails as the Coors Cowboy Band, all across this beautiful country which he loved.

Art proudly served in the United States Air Force, in the ‘50s. He raised a family of two daughters and two sons, all of whom soon became members of the band.

Always yearning to be “out West”, Art and family settled in Parowan Utah and Brian Head Ski Resort. In the 1970s you could hear the great music and enjoy the authentic German food at the family owned “Swiss Village Restaurant”. Art was a fixture in southern Utah for over 40 years. Serving in many ways to help the community which he became a big part of, manager of the Iron County Fair for many years.

In recent months, he had to relocate to southern New Mexico to be with family, due to his slowly failing health. It was a tough decision to leave Iron County, as Art had become a part of the make up of southern Utah.

Art leaves behind daughters Anna Marie Lyles,(Stephen) and Mary Ann Isaacks (Steve), of Las Cruces,New Mexico; sons Ed Montana Walunas (Verlyn) of Amarillo Texas and Joseph M. Walunas, Phoenix, Arizona; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and the love of his life and mother of his children, Chic Payne ,of Ludington.

The family will be holding a memorial service in the near future at the Isaacks Ranch in Las Cruces, New Mexico.On behalf of all the family we thank you all for the many calls and kind words. Dad will be missed by one and all.

We love you dad!