Irvin Oliver Carlson, of Chelsea, Mich., formerly of Chesterton, died
Sunday, Oct. 30, 2005 at Chelsea Retirement Community. He was 95.
He was born May 21, 1910 in Chesterton, the son of Hjalmar F. and Anna A.
(Swenson) Carlson, both of whom preceded him in death.
He was married to Isabel Gregan from 1940 until her death in 1973. He then
married Esther K. Keller in 1973 and she preceded him in death in 2003.
He is survived by two daughters, Marilyn (Dr. Charles) Fusilier of
Manchester, Mich. and Martha (James) Placido of Perry, Mich.; one son,
Gerald (Adele) Carlson of Barrington, R.I.; a sister, Grace Angell of St.
Paul Minn.; six grandchildren, Michael Fusilier, Laurie Galison, Amy Pontes,
Leah Carlson, Dr. Kristy Sharpe, Bradly Placido; 10 great-grandchildren and
many nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by seven siblings, Hjalmar Carlson, Lilly Raun,
Linnea Ross, Evelyn Carlson, Eleanor Maxwell, Wesley Carlson and Howard
Carlson.
During the depression, Mr. Carlson attended Iowa State University, Indiana,
Purdue Universities, and finally earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering
from Valparaiso University in 1939. He worked for the Bristol Company (now
American Chain Cable) as a mechanical engineer.
During WWII he worked on government projects. Even after his retirement,
they continued to call him in special projects. He has been a member of
Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Redford Twp. since the 1950s. He was
also a member of the Swedish Club in Farmington Hills. Irv developed a
pressure boot for his diabetic father before insulin was discovered, which
restored circulation to his father’s leg and saved it from amputation. He
loved woodworking and was an inventor. He lived in Redford Twp., Mich. until
2003, when he moved to the Chelsea Retirement Community.
Funeral services, Rev. Gary Kwiatek and Rev. Beth Foster officiating, will
be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Chelsea Retirement Community.
Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.
The family will receive friends from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. at Cole Funeral
Chapel, 214 E. Middle St., Chelsea, Mich.
Posed 11/1/2005
