Arvid H. Oleson

Arvid Harlan Oleson, age 95, of East Moline, died Sunday, August 7, 2011 at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, Silvis.
Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 10, 2011, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601-38th Ave., Moline, with visitation from noon until service time. Rev. Chuck Rife, Associate Pastor of First Evangelical Free Church, Rockford, will officiate. Private family burial will take place at Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. Memorials may be made to the Missions Program at the First Evangelical Free Church in Moline.
Arvid was born March 23, 1916 in Bureau Junction in Bureau County, IL, the son of Joseph Franklin and Elsie Bahmler Oleson. He graduated from Moline High School, received his Bachelor Degree from Monmouth College and his Masters Degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. He married Merle Edith Oakberg on September 7, 1951 at the First Christian Church in Moline. She preceded him in death on October 20, 2006.
Arvid was a member of First Evangelical Free Church, Moline. He had previously been employed as a Machinist, Tool & Die Maker, Millwright, Iron Worker and Carpenter. He held managerial positions with Eagle Signal Corp., Herman Nelson and American Air Filter Company. He also served churches in Illinois and Indiana as pastor or associate pastor. Arvid loved to read philosophy and theology and had sizeable libraries at various times.
SURVIVORS
Daughter Janice (Dan) Stahly Geneva, IN
Sons Don (Luaine) Oleson Rockford, IL
David Oleson East Moline
Brother Glenn Oleson California
Sister-in-law Elzina Oakberg Rock Island
Brother-in-law Harland McLaughlin East Moline
6 Grandchildren, 10 Great Grandchildren
Many Nieces and Nephews
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Merle; 2 great grandsons; brother Fred; sisters Arline (Andrew) Snyder and Ethel (Wilbur) Catour; step-brothers Wendell (Marian) Oleson, Gilbert (Connie Rahn) Oleson; step-sister Louise (Ralph) Biscontine.