SHERIDAN - Mass of Christian Burial for Dr. Arthur Ely Stolcis, D.D.S., 87, of Sheridan, will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Sheridan by his nephew, Fr. Ronald A. Stolcis.  Burial will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.

Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today, May 20, at Champion-Ferries Funeral Home in Sheridan.

He died May 17, 2003, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Sheridan.

Born July 19, 1915, in Cambria, he was the son of Marco and Candida (Fattor) Stolcis; attended elementary school in Cambria; and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1932.  He was a member of the National Honor Society, Quill and Scroll, the Prom Committee, and Library Club.

After attending the University of Wyoming for three years, he attended Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., and earned a doctorate in dental surgery.  While there, he was a member of Delta Sigma Delta, Alpha Sigma Nu, and Xavier Forum; and president of the senior class of 1937.

He practiced dentistry in Hemingford, Neb., for two years; then enlisted in the U.S. Army on Dec. 26, 1941, at March Field, Calif.  Sent overseas on July 1, 1942, he served as a battalion dental surgeon in the 812th Aviation Engineer Battalion, in northern Africa, Sicily and southern Italy.  He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Service medal and was discharged on Jan. 30, 1946, at Fort Logan, Colo., at the rank of major.

In 1946, he returned to Sheridan and ranched on the family ranch.

He always was known for his love of animals.

In addition to Fr. Stolcis, survivors include another nephew, Dr. Robert J. Stolcis, D.D.S., of Denver; and sister-in-law, Teddy Stolcis of Sheridan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and twin brothers, Fiore and Robert Stolcis.

Memorials may be made to Holy Name School, in care of Delphine Toner, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan 82801.