Peter Bryan Olofson passed away peacefully on Monday, March 18th.
Born in 1944 to Helen and Theodore Olofson, Bryan attended school in Bloomington. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Captain of the Purple Raiders football team, and also excelled on the wrestling team. He won scholarships to attend Arizona State University and Illinois Wesleyan University, graduating in 1966. He married Jeannie Shaffer in 1963 and they share two daughters, Sarah and Stephanie.
Bryan formed his own company, Central Business Forms Incorporated, in the 1970's. He coached softball and wrestling in the Effingham area and was a regular at various local gyms, helping to found the Effingham YMCA. He was also a regular on the Effingham cruise route, usually wearing a Long John Silver's paper hat in an attempt to embarrass his daughters. When he became a grandfather, he attended every game, recital and graduation with enthusiasm.
Bryan enjoyed fellowship at both Centenary Methodist Church and Christ's Church. He was a generous person and had the ability to make everyone smile and laugh heartily.
Survivors include Jeannie, Sarah and Stephanie, granddaughter Caitlin Passalacqua Ruth (Andrew), grandsons Peter and Oliver Passalacqua, great grandkids Cora and Theo, sisters Betsy Olofson and Katie Riley, nieces Quinn Riley and Taylor Lunt. He was predeceased by his parents, brother-in-law Steve Riley, and granddaughter Chloe Passalacqua.
Arrangements are Monday, the 25th, at Bauer Funeral Home with visitation from 4-6 followed by a small service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Guardian Angel Adult Daycare.
Stephen Ringler
It's with great saddness that I receive the the news of Bryan Olofson's passing. He was the first friend I made upon my transfer to Bloomington from Galesburg in 8th grade. We'd go to White Sox games in Chicago and watch pro-football on TV. Bryan was the poster boy of high school sports at B.H.S. representing the highest lrevel of achiement and sportsmanship a school could hope for, ecceling in football, wrestling and baseball.When I think of BHS sports excellence, I think of "Ole."
Sorowfully I now remain alone among the four of us BHS alumns who attended Ariznoa State University together;.....Mike Neal. Gerry Dalrymple and Bryan Olofson. I was Best Man in Bryan's wedding his Freshman year at ASU to Jeanne Shaffer.
Richard Center
I was shocked to hear this. I remember well Bryan and Jay Hilton on the football and wrestling teams. I wrestled Brian in practice several times. He was so strong and the most muscler arms of anybody I ever saw.
I always enjoyed talking to him at the reunions. I will miss him.