Arthur Olson

Arthur E. Olson Jr., 83, of Ossineke, passed away Sunday, November 1, 2026 at Lincoln Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Community after a three year battle with cancer.

He was born August 13, 1943, to Arthur Sr. and Hazel (McDonald) Olson in Spruce at the old home farmstead, which is now a Centennial Farm. Art enjoyed a long career in cylinder work and machinery. He managed Reynolds Machine in Alpena. After they sold, he went to WG Benjey, Cavanaugh Street, Alpena, where he worked as a supervisor. He retired in 2000. Art DJ’d music as “The Hard Times” at Smokey’s Bar and the Wagon Wheel during the 1980s and 1990s. He volunteered his time playing records for the handicapped children’s Halloween and Christmas parties. He loved his community and was a part of the Ossineke Neighborhood Watch. He liked to grow tomatoes in his backyard and hand them out to his neighbors, always with a smile.

Art is survived by his daughter, Debra Compeau, two sons, Daniel Olson and Douglas Olson, his stepdaughter, Tracie (Mark) Porath, his grandchildren, James Compeau, Jeffery (Sydney) Compeau, Jordan Compeau, and Jacob (Kayla Keen) Compeau, Dustin (Mackenzie) Olson, Keegan Gilmore, Nicole (Don) Spencer, Courtnee Birdsley, Kyle Flynn, and Kendra (Greg) Warner, eight great grandchildren, three nieces, Ellen Smith, Kaye Lince, and Cindy Arlt, and a special girl, Kristen Syma and her family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon on May 5, 2021, and his brothers, Norman “Lefty” Olson and James Olson.

Memorial visitation will be Sunday, November 8, 2026 from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Gillies Funeral Home in Lincoln. Memorial donations are suggested to Hospice Compassus. Art’s family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the “on call” neighbor, Wayne Girard, and to Becky Olson who was there when we needed her to take care of Dad.