Obituary of Arthur Edwin Shavalier

Arthur Edwin Shavalier went to be with his Heavenly Father March 16, 2014. Without ambulance or hospital, he died at home, in answer to his prayers, after suffering a stroke. He was born June 1, 1922 on the family farm approximately 1200 feet from where he died. He was the son of Arthur E. Shavalier Sr. and Theresa Margaretta Fichtner Shavalier. On Dec. 16, 1948, he married his wife of 59 years, Gretchen Lillian Kautz, who predeceased him on March 23, 2008 (Easter Sunday). Arthur attended Olean Public Schools, Otto High School in Duke Center PA and the College of Hard Knocks. He began his career working in the oil fields followed by National Munitions near Eldred, PA. During WWII he enlisted in the US Army Sep. 30, 1942 and was assigned to the Eighth Air Force in England as an airplane mechanic. He volunteered for the Infantry and served with the 106th Infantry Division in Germany until the war ended May 1945. In the Pacific Theater he served with the Navy on detached service on Okinawa. After the war with Japan ended, he was honorably discharged at Fort MacArthur, CA on Jan. 8, 1946. He worked for the New York Telephone Company for 35 years, retiring in 1981. Art volunteered for the Red Cross, Olean General Hospital, Christmas in April and Angel Food Ministries. He was Scoutmaster of Troop 70; Sunday School teacher and superintendent; member of the Telephone Pioneers of America; former member of Immanuel Lutheran of Olean for 83 years transferring in 2006 to Bethel Lutheran, Portville and to St John's Lutheran Church, Allegany in 2014. Art was a force of nature. He was a self described hip shooter who said what he thought and accomplished the task at hand while others were still planning. He was a master story teller and all around handy man. He was known for his outgoing personality, sense of humor, strong Christian faith, iron will and willingness to help by doing. Very physically active until the end, he was on the roof cleaning the chimney cap less than two weeks ago. When Art left his friends and family he always joked, "I'm off, don't tell anybody". Please remember him with a smile. Art also wanted to share a message: "This is not goodbye, but see you later!" Art is survived by a son Daniel (Lucille) Shavalier, Olean; daughter Margaret Shavalier, Binghamton; sister Kathleen Ash, Indiana, PA; son-in-law David James, Boulder, Colorado; grandchildren Kara James, Boulder and Erik James, Boston; sister-in-law Kay Kautz, Olean; and several nieces and nephews. Along with his loving wife, Art was predeceased by a daughter, Deborah A. Shavalier in June 2009. Friends will be received, Saturday, March 29, 2014 at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #646 E. State St., Olean from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at which time a Memorial Service will be held. The Rev. Paula Roulette, Pastor of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Skaneateles will officiate. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army 310 East State St Olean NY 14760. Online condolences may be made by clicking on the button above.