Born: December 20, 1948 - Deceased: March 15, 2022
John Ray Olsen, 73, of Belleville, IL, born Monday, December 20, 1948, in St. Louis, MO, passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at his residence in Belleville, IL.
John retired after 22 years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force in 1993. John worked in Public Affairs and Recruiting, Joint Forces Japan and also served in Desert Storm. After active service, John taught as a Junior R.O.T.C. Instructor at Marquette High School in Chesterfield, MO. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, IL.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Parents: Raymond A. and Zona Faye, nee Hoglan, Olsen
- Half brother: Charles Everett
- Half sister: Mildred Halm
Surviving are his:
- Wife: Denise, nee Rathbun, Olsen of Belleville, IL
- Son: Derek (Melissa) Olsen of Carterville, IL
- Daughter: Erika (Neil) Neveu of Bedford, NH
- Grandchildren
- Paul Cole Olsen
- Samuel Normand Neveu
- Olivia Lindsey Neveu
- Sadie Grace Neveu
- 3 sisters-in-law
- 2 brothers-in-law
- 4 nieces
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church, Greater St. Louis Honor Flight (local), Hospice of Southern Illinois or Alzheimer’s Association.
Visitation: Visitation from 9:00 – 11:00 am, Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church, with Pastor Chris Spelbring officiating. Interment will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.
1 Comment
John, Johnnie, to us 24 who graduated from Concordia Lutheran School, Maplewood, MO. was energetic and fun to be around. Although Johnnie was short in stature, after graduating from elementary school, he played big in our Walther Lutheran League basketball team. This year will mark the 60th graduation anniversary of the 1962 class and preliminary plans to gather information on our classmates to share or even have a reunion are in the works. So, it’s with a heavy heart and deep sympathy to learn that John is in God’s company. My condolences to the family, friends and everyone John affected.