Harold A. âOleâ Olson âthe last Shinglehouse cheese makerâ
SHINGLEHOUSE, PA----Harold A. âOleâ Olson, 91, of Shinglehouse, passed away with his loving family and family friend at his side on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, in Cole Memorial Hospital Long Term Care, Coudersport, after a long illness.
Born August 12, 1921 in Shinglehouse, he was a son of Albert and Hazel Maxson Olson. On June 27, 1942 in Sanborn, NY, he married Helen Cornelius, who passed away on May 29, 2010.
He was a graduate of Shinglehouse High School. Mr. Olson was a U.S. Army veteran having served with the 5th Infantry during World War II.
He was employed by the Oswayo Valley School District, retiring in 1986. From 1955 to 1972, Ole, along with his wife, owned and operated the former Shinglehouse Cheese Factory, which was well known throughout the area.
Mr. Olson was a member of the First Baptist Church in Shinglehouse where he had previously served on the Board of Trustees and was the church custodian, a member of Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530, a former member of the Shinglehouse Borough Council, a member of the NRA, a member of the International Bench Shooters Association, a charter member of the National Bench Rest Shooters Association, and a member of the Oswayo Valley Rod and Gun Club in Millport.
A gun enthusiast, Ole was always happy to share his knowledge of shooting and guns with all. He started the former Rifle Club at the Oswayo Valley High School in Shinglehouse having several members go on to be National champions. He was also known for his woodworking abilities. Ole donated property to the Borough for the nature trail in Shinglehouse.
Surviving are three daughters, Mary C. Wardlaw of Shinglehouse, Linea M. (Garry) Taylor of Ceres, and Cherry K. (Michael) Feely of Bolivar, NY; nine grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; two great-great-granddaughters; a brother, Gordon (Mary Ellen) Olson of Olean, NY; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Ole was predeceased by a brother, Hazen Olson.
Friends may call at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, on Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to noon on Monday, May 13, 2013 at which time funeral services will follow with the Rev. Kenneth Thompson of Brackenridge, PA and the Rev. Russell J. Horning, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Shinglehouse, officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse.
Members of the Potter County Honor Guard will accord full military honors on Monday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 68, Shinglehouse, PA 16748; the Potter County Hospice, 1001 East Second, Coudersport, PA 16915; or to the Oswayo Valley Rod & Gun Club, PO Box 186, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.