GALVA - Glenn D. “Pete” Olander Sr., 78, of Galva, passed away peacefully at 4:16 p.m., Monday, October 14, 2024 at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 19 at Rux Funeral Home in Galva with Pastor Russell Collister officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, October 18 at the funeral home. The burial will be held at the Galva Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the OSF Richard Owens Hospice Home.

He was born March 12, 1946 in Kewanee, the son of Daryl and Emma Jean (Yelm) Olander. He had married Deborah Brock, the mother of his children. They had divorced but remained friends. He is survived by a son, Glenn “Swede” Olander Jr. of Brooksville, FL, two daughters, Kimberly Driskell of Galva and Pamela Rose of Brooksville, FL, eight grandchildren, Cody Olander, Kyndal Olander, Dalton Cavanagh, Dylan Cavanagh, Tyler Cavanagh, Kaisy (Wayne) Cate, Peyton Olander and John Robert Driskell, three great grandchildren, Isabella, Charlie and Kylie, three sisters, Karan (Warren) Ahlberg of Galesburg, Donna Marie Wallentine of Galva and Shirley Sizemore of Cassville, MO, his brother-in-law, Wayne Glisan of Galva and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Daryl, his mother and stepfather, Emma Jean and Donald Bush, two sisters, Sharon Ingle and Cheryl Glisan, a brother, Donald “Deke” Olander, his brothers-in-law, Rick Sizemore and David Wallentine, two nephews, Derrick Glisan and Donald “Jimmy” Shaw and two nieces, Cheryl Rae Shaw and Donna Jean Ensley.

Pete had worked for 23 years as a steel worker at the Galva Foundry, then 15 years as a construction worker and then finally as a roofer and carpenter for CSI Homes until his retirement. He was a member of the former Grace United Methodist Church and in earlier years enjoyed drag racing, bowling and playing pool, darts and slow-pitch softball. He also enjoyed tinkering, NASCAR and was an avid Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. Pete really enjoyed his Tuesday morning coffee get-togethers with his sisters, spending time with his friends but he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.