Obituary of Richard Kenneth Orr
Richard Kenneth Orr passed away at the age of 79, at Edward Hospital in Naperville, IL, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Joliet, IL, on November 15, 1944, the son of the late Inez (Wimmer) and Glenn Orr. Richard grew up in Lockport and graduated from Lockport High School. He proudly served the US Army for 4 years and was stationed in Okinawa Japan and on the Aleutian Islands until his honorable discharge in 1969.
He received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL. He became a secondary educator teaching English and then went on to work for the US Postal Service for 29 years. Richard was a member of St. Edward and Christ Episcopal Church for many years. He served as a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the vestry. He had a passion for history and literature and always had a book in his hand.
Richard is survived by Kathleen Finn, the mother of his two daughters, Amanda Miller (Jared), of North Aurora, IL and Michelle Johnson (Matthew), of Leander, TX; his six grandchildren Katelyn and Alyssa Miller, Madeline, Jillian, Benjamin, and Annabelle Johnson; his long-time friend David Boylan; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
He is preceded in death by his parents Inez (Wimmer) and Glenn Orr, as well as his sisters, Caroline Vespie, Glenna Leiker, and Karen Wegner.
Visitation for Richard Kenneth Orr will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, IL from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral Service at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL, with full military honors held under the auspices of the United States Army and the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Squad.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to NAMI Chicago (National Alliance on Mental Illness) or The Wounded Warrior Project.
For information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
