ARVEL R. "OZZIE" DAVIS

1921 - 2011

Arvel R. "Ozzie" Davis, 89, of Sycamore, Ill., passed away Jan. 29, 2011, in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. Born Feb. 27, 1921, in Malta, Mont., to Jesse L. and Cora (Mathews) Davis, he married Carolyn M. Clarner March 29, 1941, in Clinton, Iowa. He married Velma L. Thyberg April 23, 1988, at Hillcrest Covenant Church, DeKalb.
He was a member of Hillcrest Covenant Church, Sycamore Elks Lodge 1392, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5768, Kishwaukee Archery Club, National Society Automotive Engineers and Sycamore Golf Club since 1950.
He was the former president of DeKalb Industrial Management Club, and former Alderman of Sycamore's 1st Ward. He owned Ozzie's Snack Shop and was the original owner of The Pizza Wheel, both in Sycamore.
He was a foreman and tool and die engineer employed by Ideal Industries in Sycamore. He was a real estate broker since 1966.
He was a World War II veteran, serving as a Private 1st Class in the Army's 25th division in the South Pacific. He was a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient.
Ozzie graduated DeKalb High School in 1939, and was an avid golfer.
He is survived by his loving wife, Velma; three daughters, Sandra (Kenneth) Yunek of Sycamore, Carole Bellamy of Medford, Wis., and Gayle (Alan) Volpp of Hampshire; twin sons, Randall (Nellie) Davis of Sycamore and Darrel Davis of Rockford; one stepson, Larry Thyberg of Bullhead City, Ariz.; two stepdaughters, Dona (Cletus) O'Donnell of Madison, Wis., and Diane (Kenneth) Hightower of Auburn Hills, Mich.; one brother, Roy (Marilyn) Davis of DeKalb; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; five stepgrandchildren; six great-stepgrandchildren; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Carolyn in 1983; two stepgrandsons, Randy Thyberg and Ben Hightower; three brothers, Lloyd, Ward and Forest "Bud" Davis; and one son-in-law, Ray Bellamy.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at Hillcrest Covenant Church in DeKalb, Pastor Steve Larson officiating. Visitation at 1 p.m. at the church until time of the service. A military burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery, Sycamore.