GILBERT, AZ
Danny Arvin Olson, 88, of Gilbert, Arizona passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2020. He was the oldest of twelve children born to Carl and Edith Olson in rural Dugger, Indiana on July 8, 1932. He graduated from Dugger Union High School in 1950, where he was captain of the football team. He graduated from Indiana State Teacher’s College in 1954 and married Mary Jane Wible on September 19, 1954. He served in the United States Army, and then he used the G.I. Bill to pay for his dental school education, graduating from Indiana University Dental School in 1960. He practiced dentistry in Columbus, Indiana and in Phoenix, Arizona. In Columbus, Dan was a member of First United Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis, and the Bartholomew County Dental Society.
Survivors include children Deborah Burnett (John) of Columbus, IN; Beth Barth (Frank) of San Antonio, TX; Eric Olson of Gilbert, Arizona, and Tricia Gibson (Bob) of Phoenix, Arizona, 6 grandchildren Anne O’Neill (Nathan), Katharine Sarlitto (Eric), Brandon Barth (Elizabeth), Colin Barth (Amy), Johnny Ockajik, and Dirk Olson, and 3 great-grandchildren Alyssa, Sydney, and Andrew Barth with a fourth great-grandchild expected in the Spring. He is also survived by his siblings Patricia Gonyea of Memphis, TN, Marlene Turner of Columbus, IN, Linda Monroe-Buzek of Phoenix, AZ, Mary Ellen DuBois of Indianapolis, IN, Carla McCammon, Aletha Robinson, Michael Olson of Sullivan, IN, and Edie Olson DeBoo of Indianapolis, IN and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary Jane, and siblings Berndt and William Olson and Marilyn Brown.
Dan was the first in his family to earn a college education and led that pathway for his siblings, children, and grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Valley in Arizona, Alzheimer’s Association, or any other noble charitable cause.
A celebration of life will be held post-COVID. So lift a glass and say a toast. Cheers!
