Brian Anthony Olson, 58, passed away at his home unexpectedly on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015. Brian was born July 6, 1957, in Escanaba, MI, to Raymond L. and Patricia A. (Ammel) Olson. In 1979 Brian married the love of his life, Diana Willis and she survives.
Brian was one of nine children. Brian graduated from Peru High School in 1975.
Brian worked for Square D Co. and Larry Ewer before opening his own business, Olson Paint & Body in 1984. His passion for painting cars and love of racing led him to yet another career, that of announcing. Brian developed a relationship with the Hullinger family, who operated the Bunker Hill Drag Strip, and began announcing for Bunker Hill Drag Strip in 1987.
He also announced for the National Hot Rod Association, Super Chevy Shows, and was a member of the Professional Drag Racing Association (PDRA). Brian and his Olson Paint & Body team also created and painted race cars, motorcycles, boats and helmets for hundreds of customers. Brian eventually became a team director for Carrier Brothers Top Fuel Dragster, driven by Cory McClenathan.
This job then led Brian to become the manager of the renowned Torco Race Fuels drag racing team. Other endeavors in the announcing world included announcing for the International Hot Rod Association, color commentator for Speed Network for IHRA events, National Muscle Car Association, American Drag Racing League, and eventually his work grew into a position on Speed’s “On the Edge” television series and the announcing voice and television face for PDRA.
Brian was active in his community and was Peru’s Citizen of the Year. In 1996 his family received the Scottish Rite Family of the Year award and in 1997 received the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Good Neighbor award. He supported numerous philanthropic and athletic organizations, some of which are Peru Little League Challenger Baseball, Peru Soap Box Derby, Buddy Ball, Cal Ripken League and Peru Bengal Backers.
Brian is survived by his wife of over 36 years, Diana; son, Andrew (Elaine) Olson; daughter, Francie (Tim) Benedict; grandchildren, Max Olson and Makaela Benedict; mother-in-law, Freda Willis; brothers-in-law, Carey Willis and Bruce (Tina) Willis; five sisters, Patricia-Cookie Whybrew, Sharon (Bill) Shuey, Gerri (Mike) Mavrick, Janice (Nathan) Gardner, and Edith-Dede (Jay) Scagg; and three brothers, Craig (Peggy) Olson, Mark Olson and John Olson. He was beloved by numerous nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Patrici (Ammel) Olson; brother-in-law, Charles F. Whybrew; and father-in-law, Floyd Willis.
Brian will be greatly missed and fondly remembered for his love for family and friends, his “gift of gab,” and his contagious enthusiasm for life. He lived life to the fullest, embracing each of his roles and the people around him.
Services for Brian Anthony Olson will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, at Miami County 4-H Fairground community building. A celebration of life memorial service will begin at 5 p.m., with Pastor Phil Cruea, Pastor George Dinkel and Marlin Snyder presiding. Memorial contributions may be made out to Diana Olson in memory of Brian Olson for distribution to his favorite charities. Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, Peru.
Brian was one of nine children. Brian graduated from Peru High School in 1975.
Brian worked for Square D Co. and Larry Ewer before opening his own business, Olson Paint & Body in 1984. His passion for painting cars and love of racing led him to yet another career, that of announcing. Brian developed a relationship with the Hullinger family, who operated the Bunker Hill Drag Strip, and began announcing for Bunker Hill Drag Strip in 1987.
He also announced for the National Hot Rod Association, Super Chevy Shows, and was a member of the Professional Drag Racing Association (PDRA). Brian and his Olson Paint & Body team also created and painted race cars, motorcycles, boats and helmets for hundreds of customers. Brian eventually became a team director for Carrier Brothers Top Fuel Dragster, driven by Cory McClenathan.
This job then led Brian to become the manager of the renowned Torco Race Fuels drag racing team. Other endeavors in the announcing world included announcing for the International Hot Rod Association, color commentator for Speed Network for IHRA events, National Muscle Car Association, American Drag Racing League, and eventually his work grew into a position on Speed’s “On the Edge” television series and the announcing voice and television face for PDRA.
Brian was active in his community and was Peru’s Citizen of the Year. In 1996 his family received the Scottish Rite Family of the Year award and in 1997 received the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Good Neighbor award. He supported numerous philanthropic and athletic organizations, some of which are Peru Little League Challenger Baseball, Peru Soap Box Derby, Buddy Ball, Cal Ripken League and Peru Bengal Backers.
Brian is survived by his wife of over 36 years, Diana; son, Andrew (Elaine) Olson; daughter, Francie (Tim) Benedict; grandchildren, Max Olson and Makaela Benedict; mother-in-law, Freda Willis; brothers-in-law, Carey Willis and Bruce (Tina) Willis; five sisters, Patricia-Cookie Whybrew, Sharon (Bill) Shuey, Gerri (Mike) Mavrick, Janice (Nathan) Gardner, and Edith-Dede (Jay) Scagg; and three brothers, Craig (Peggy) Olson, Mark Olson and John Olson. He was beloved by numerous nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Patrici (Ammel) Olson; brother-in-law, Charles F. Whybrew; and father-in-law, Floyd Willis.
Brian will be greatly missed and fondly remembered for his love for family and friends, his “gift of gab,” and his contagious enthusiasm for life. He lived life to the fullest, embracing each of his roles and the people around him.
Services for Brian Anthony Olson will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, at Miami County 4-H Fairground community building. A celebration of life memorial service will begin at 5 p.m., with Pastor Phil Cruea, Pastor George Dinkel and Marlin Snyder presiding. Memorial contributions may be made out to Diana Olson in memory of Brian Olson for distribution to his favorite charities. Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, Peru.
Brian Anthony Olson, 58, passed away at his home unexpectedly on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015. Brian was born July 6, 1957, in Escanaba, MI, to Raymond L. and Patricia A. (Ammel) Olson. In 1979 Brian married the love of his life, Diana Willis and she survives.
Brian was one of nine children. Brian graduated from Peru High School in 1975.
Brian worked for Square D Co. and Larry Ewer before opening his own business, Olson Paint & Body in 1984. His passion for painting cars and love of racing led him to yet another career, that of announcing. Brian developed a relationship with the Hullinger family, who operated the Bunker Hill Drag Strip, and began announcing for Bunker Hill Drag Strip in 1987.
He also announced for the National Hot Rod Association, Super Chevy Shows, and was a member of the Professional Drag Racing Association (PDRA). Brian and his Olson Paint & Body team also created and painted race cars, motorcycles, boats and helmets for hundreds of customers. Brian eventually became a team director for Carrier Brothers Top Fuel Dragster, driven by Cory McClenathan.
This job then led Brian to become the manager of the renowned Torco Race Fuels drag racing team. Other endeavors in the announcing world included announcing for the International Hot Rod Association, color commentator for Speed Network for IHRA events, National Muscle Car Association, American Drag Racing League, and eventually his work grew into a position on Speed’s “On the Edge” television series and the announcing voice and television face for PDRA.
Brian was active in his community and was Peru’s Citizen of the Year. In 1996 his family received the Scottish Rite Family of the Year award and in 1997 received the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Good Neighbor award. He supported numerous philanthropic and athletic organizations, some of which are Peru Little League Challenger Baseball, Peru Soap Box Derby, Buddy Ball, Cal Ripken League and Peru Bengal Backers.
Brian is survived by his wife of over 36 years, Diana; son, Andrew (Elaine) Olson; daughter, Francie (Tim) Benedict; grandchildren, Max Olson and Makaela Benedict; mother-in-law, Freda Willis; brothers-in-law, Carey Willis and Bruce (Tina) Willis; five sisters, Patricia-Cookie Whybrew, Sharon (Bill) Shuey, Gerri (Mike) Mavrick, Janice (Nathan) Gardner, and Edith-Dede (Jay) Scagg; and three brothers, Craig (Peggy) Olson, Mark Olson and John Olson. He was beloved by numerous nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Patrici (Ammel) Olson; brother-in-law, Charles F. Whybrew; and father-in-law, Floyd Willis.
Brian will be greatly missed and fondly remembered for his love for family and friends, his “gift of gab,” and his contagious enthusiasm for life. He lived life to the fullest, embracing each of his roles and the people around him.
Services for Brian Anthony Olson will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, at Miami County 4-H Fairground community building. A celebration of life memorial service will begin at 5 p.m., with Pastor Phil Cruea, Pastor George Dinkel and Marlin Snyder presiding. Memorial contributions may be made out to Diana Olson in memory of Brian Olson for distribution to his favorite charities. Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, Peru.
Brian was one of nine children. Brian graduated from Peru High School in 1975.
Brian worked for Square D Co. and Larry Ewer before opening his own business, Olson Paint & Body in 1984. His passion for painting cars and love of racing led him to yet another career, that of announcing. Brian developed a relationship with the Hullinger family, who operated the Bunker Hill Drag Strip, and began announcing for Bunker Hill Drag Strip in 1987.
He also announced for the National Hot Rod Association, Super Chevy Shows, and was a member of the Professional Drag Racing Association (PDRA). Brian and his Olson Paint & Body team also created and painted race cars, motorcycles, boats and helmets for hundreds of customers. Brian eventually became a team director for Carrier Brothers Top Fuel Dragster, driven by Cory McClenathan.
This job then led Brian to become the manager of the renowned Torco Race Fuels drag racing team. Other endeavors in the announcing world included announcing for the International Hot Rod Association, color commentator for Speed Network for IHRA events, National Muscle Car Association, American Drag Racing League, and eventually his work grew into a position on Speed’s “On the Edge” television series and the announcing voice and television face for PDRA.
Brian was active in his community and was Peru’s Citizen of the Year. In 1996 his family received the Scottish Rite Family of the Year award and in 1997 received the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Good Neighbor award. He supported numerous philanthropic and athletic organizations, some of which are Peru Little League Challenger Baseball, Peru Soap Box Derby, Buddy Ball, Cal Ripken League and Peru Bengal Backers.
Brian is survived by his wife of over 36 years, Diana; son, Andrew (Elaine) Olson; daughter, Francie (Tim) Benedict; grandchildren, Max Olson and Makaela Benedict; mother-in-law, Freda Willis; brothers-in-law, Carey Willis and Bruce (Tina) Willis; five sisters, Patricia-Cookie Whybrew, Sharon (Bill) Shuey, Gerri (Mike) Mavrick, Janice (Nathan) Gardner, and Edith-Dede (Jay) Scagg; and three brothers, Craig (Peggy) Olson, Mark Olson and John Olson. He was beloved by numerous nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Patrici (Ammel) Olson; brother-in-law, Charles F. Whybrew; and father-in-law, Floyd Willis.
Brian will be greatly missed and fondly remembered for his love for family and friends, his “gift of gab,” and his contagious enthusiasm for life. He lived life to the fullest, embracing each of his roles and the people around him.
Services for Brian Anthony Olson will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, at Miami County 4-H Fairground community building. A celebration of life memorial service will begin at 5 p.m., with Pastor Phil Cruea, Pastor George Dinkel and Marlin Snyder presiding. Memorial contributions may be made out to Diana Olson in memory of Brian Olson for distribution to his favorite charities. Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, Peru.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
