John M. Olson

1924 - 2018

John M. Olson 1924—2018
John M. Olson, 93, of Rockford, passed away Saturday, February 10, 2018, at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center. John was born October 17, 1924, in Rockford, the son of Eskel R. and Alma (Pearson) Olson. Attended John Nelson School, Lincoln Junior High School and graduated from Rockford East High School, Class of 1942, where he was a member of the band playing bass clarinet. John graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology (I.I.T) with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949. John served in the United States Navy as an electronic technician from 1944 to 1946. At I.I.T. he was a member of Triangle Fraternity. On July 2, 1949, John married his loving wife, Shirley C. Niles, in Elmwood Park, IL. John worked at Rockford Clutch Division of Borg Warner for 30 years and retired as a sales manager– fan clutches. John was an avid golfer who took pride in having the Rockford Park District Golf Pass #1 every year. John also took pride in his Illinois vanity license plate: "RKFD".
Survivors include his wife, Shirley; two sons, Randy Olson of Roscoe, IL, and his two daughters, Cali and Emma, and Jeffrey (Branka) Olson of Los Angeles, and their three sons, Niles, Victor, and Dane; brother-in-law, Richard Rolander; and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents; brother, Robert E. (Betty Bertrand) Olson; and sister, Mary Lou Olson Rolander. The family would like to thank the staff at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center and Northern Illinois Hospice.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2018 in the chapel of Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center, 3470 N. Alpine Rd, Rockford, with Reverend David Lawson officiating. Private Graveside services were held at Scandinavian Cemetery. Friends may contribute a memorial to Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W. State St., Rockford, IL 61102. Arrangements by Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Ltd. To share a memory or condolence visit olsonfh.com