July 6, 1936 - May 6, 2023
Arnold Olver of Three Hills, Alberta passed away peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior on May 6th 2023, at the age of 86. Arnold was born in Peterborough, Ontario on July 6, 1936 to Laurence and Louise Olver. Arnold was the second of 9 children so it’s no surprise he had to drop out of High School to work on the family farm. At the age of 18, Arnold gave his life to Christ and a year later hitchhiked to Three Hills, Alberta to attend Prairie Bible College. While in Bible College, Arnold felt called to go to the mission field, but first he was determined to go back and get his High School diploma which he proudly received at the age of 24. Arnold then hitchhiked south to Columbia Bible College in South Carolina where he studied 2 more years, graduating with a BA in Biblical Education. Finally he was prepared to fulfill his calling to be a missionary. While studying French in Switzerland, he met his sweetheart, Shirley (Sober) and together they spent nine years in Zaire with the Africa Inland Mission. Following their time in Africa, The Lord took Arnold and Shirley to Greeley, Colorado, Three Hills, Alberta, The Philippines, and Herbert, Saskatchewan, where Arnold served in various roles such as: missionary, pastor, teacher, dean of students, and counselor. The role Arnold valued the most was that of Husband, Father,Grandfather and Great-Grandpa. Even as Dementia began to rob him of his memory, his face would shine with joy when family came to visit. Arnold will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years, Shirley; children: Mike (Bev), Becky (Warren); grandchildren: Theoren, Christina (Brandon), Randal (Porter), and Raelyn; great grandchildren: Lucy and Noah; siblings: Ron (Diane), Marie, Jack, Peter (Sue), and Terry (Lynda), as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Arnold was predeceased by his parents: Laurence (1976) and Louise (2003), and his brothers: Theodore (1940), Paul (2016), and Larry (2016). The family would like to thank the staff of The Golden Hills Lodge and The Rosefield Care Centre in Innisfail for their care and compassion during Arnold’s time there. We would also like to thank Ed Stephan at Kneehill and Westview Funeral Services. A Celebration of Life will be held on June 2nd at 2:00pm at the Prairie Tabernacle in Three Hills, Alberta. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Arnold can be made to Prairie College and Prairie Tabernacle.
