Rita & Joe Arellano

JOE

Joe Marcie Arellano was born May 16, 1927, to Fred and Thelma Roy Arellano in Silver Cliff, Colorado. He passed away on June 11, 2022, in Quartzsite, Arizona.

Joe attended school in Sliver Cliff before moving to Salida, Colorado. He then moved to Florence, Colorado, and finished school in Richmond, California where he worked at Kiser Shipyards. Joe entered the United States Army during World War II and served in Korea.

Joe met the love of his life, Rita Trujillo, in Salida, Colorado. Her family moved to Jerome, Idaho, and Joe followed them there, marrying Rita in 1948. Together they had one son, Tony.

Joe retired from the United States Army as a Master Sergeant. Joe and Rita bought a farm northwest of Jerome, where he was engaged in construction.

He and Rita started doing what they loved, cutting gemstones, gold and silver smithing. They spent the winters in Quartzsite, Arizona at a rock and gem show.

Joe had a great love of hunting and fishing, packing into the Selway with Tony and friends. Magic Reservoir was his favorite place to fish and float tube with his grandson, Luke.

Joe was very involved in the Jerome County Rod and Gun Club, spending a great deal of time working on the range. He was President of the club several times, as well as a life member of the V.F.W.

Joe and Rita celebrated 72 years of marriage and were both members of the Jerome Bible Baptist Church, and they loved and worshipped the Lord. His greatest love was his family and his church family.

Joe is survived by his brother, Chuck (Margaret) Arellano; and sister, Ellen (Joe) Sanchez.

RITA

Rita Caroline Arellano was born April 19, 1933, to Selvey and Elvina Calvano Trujillo in Salida, Colorado. She passed away March 19, 2023, at Chardonnay Assisted Living in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Rita attended school in Salida and moved to Jerome, Idaho in 1948. She married Joe M. Arellano on December 22, 1948, and worked at St. Benedict’s Hospital as an operating room nurse until her retirement.

Rita loved having her grandchildren living next door, and later in life, her great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Joe; her parents; and her sister, Tina (Ted) Prappas.

Rita is survived by her brothers, Selvey (Donna) Trujillo and Bill (Margaret) Trujillo.

Rita & Joe are survived by their son, Tony (Julie) Arellano; grandchildren, Brooke (Chris) Perkins, Amanda (Mike) Taylor, Lisa (Doug) Fischer, and Luke (Megan) Arellano; and many nieces; nephews; and great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm, Noon, with a viewing at 11:00 am, Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Jerome Bible Baptist Church, 132 2^nd Avenue E, Jerome.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Rita’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.