Harold Lyle Oleson, 97, of LeRoy, Illinois passed away at 10:20 P.M. Thursday, September 14, 2017 at Heritage Health, Normal, Illinois.
His funeral service will be 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at LeRoy Christian Church with Jeff Mayfield and Bob Beckman officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, LeRoy, Illinois. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M., Monday, September 18, 2017 at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, LeRoy, Illinois and from 9:30 A.M. – 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at the church. Memorials may be made to LeRoy Community Fire Protection District; LeRoy Emergency Ambulance Service; Community Cancer Center, 407 E. Vernon Ave., Normal, Illinois 61761; or LeRoy Christian Church, 603 S. East St., LeRoy, Illinois 61752.
Harold was born September 12, 1920 in West Township, McLean County, Illinois, a son of Lu Roy and Clara Belle Vance Oleson. He married Virginia Mae Scott on August 4, 1946 in LeRoy, Illinois.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Mae Oleson of LeRoy, Illinois; son, Larry (Lynn) Oleson of Bloomington, Illinois; daughter, Diana (James) Brown of Bloomington, Illinois; daughter, Judy (P. J.) Grosboll of Normal, Illinois; daughter, Brenda Friedlein of LeRoy, Illinois; seven grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; brother, Clifford Oleson of Yorkville, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Roy Roger Oleson and sister, Helen Sawyer.
Harold began farming at the age of 12 and for himself in 1947, retiring in 2002 at the age of 82. He was the oldest resident born, raised, and still living until his death in West Township, McLean County, Illinois. He graduated from Empire Township High School which later became LeRoy High School. Harold was attending the LeRoy Christian Church and was an eighty year member of the First United Methodist Church, LeRoy, Illinois, where he served forty years as the Sunday School Superintendent.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Heritage Health, Normal, Illinois and the Transitions Hospice Team for their extra care in his final days.
Harold never knew a stranger and was always there for his children and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and will never be forgotten.
