Shane Ohlen (1983 - 2005)

Shane Adrian Ohlen died in a vehicle accident in Central Otago, New Zealand on Wednesday 23rd February 2005. He was 21 years old. He was a private with the New Zealand Army and at the time of his death was travelling in an army vehicle which plunged into the Kawerau River.
Shane's funeral was held on Saturday 5th March 2005 at Old St Pauls Cathedral, Mulgrave Street, Wellington at 1pm, with over 200 people in attendance including members of the New Zealand Army and the Newlands Volunteer Fire Service to which Shane had been part of. Shane's grandmother and father were among speakers at the funeral service.
A report on the accident is available courtesy of the New Zealand Herald newspaper.

An updated report from 11th March 2005 is available courtesy of the New Zealand Herald newspaper.
Shane's body was found on Wednesday 23rd March 2005 in Lake Dunston. He will be cremated in Dunedin after the formal identification process and his ashes will be buried at the top of his parents section in the Marlborough Sounds, they will put a viewing seat over him, the views over the Sounds from this spot are superb. (Thanks to Darryl Forbes for this information from the Ohlen family)

A report on the finding of Shane's body on 23rd March 2005 is available courtesy of the New Zealand Herald newspaper.

Shane played as a defender for the North Wellington AFC Division 10 team in the 2003 and 2004 seasons. This team, the 'Willing Sinners' or 'Drunken Sinners' comprised many friends of Shane. A picture of Shane is located at the bottom of this page. As a mark of respect for Shane on the opening weekend of the 2005 season (2nd & 3rd April) club teams wore black armbands and observed a moments silence before their match. Shane's passing will also be mentioned at the club's end-of-season prizegiving ceremony on Saturday 17th September 2005.

Shane's team-mates during the 2003-2004 period included Jason Carruth, Kevin Chafe, Des Crosby, Hayden Dearlove, Gareth Elmey, Darryl Forbes, Chris Gibling, Jeff Grace, Hamish Gravit, Peter Hunter, Blair Kingsbury, Michael McCarthy, Doug McIntosh, Murray Poultney, Nick Price, Robert Purcell, Peter Rewiti, John Sewell, Guy Thompson, Stephen Topliss and Michael Underhill. At Shane's funeral service Hayden Dearlove spoke with regard to Shane's time with North Wellington AFC.

On behalf of the North Wellington AFC committee and players our deepest condolences are extended to Shane's family and friends. Shane had been elected to the Club committee in November 2003 however was unable to attend meetings in 2004 and therefore resigned.

Although he had a short life, Shane was a spirited guy who was looking to establish a career with the New Zealand Army.
Rest in peace Shane.

Photo reproduced from the New Zealand Herald newspaper.

Shane Ohlen (centre), North Wellington AFC - 2003 & 2004 seasons
Shane and his two army colleagues who died in the accident.

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Last updated: 30th July 2005 (First posted on 27th February 2005)