Phyllis Orr
PEKIN - Phyllis E. Orr passed away Thursday, November 23, 2023, at 9:45 a.m. at the age of 94 years old.
She was born in Peoria, Illinois, on March 23, 1929, to Louie and Dora Dean Serino, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband, Robert S. Orr, who she married on February 3, 1951.
She leaves behind three sons, Larry of Pekin, Steve (Cathleen) of Buffalo, Wyoming, and David of Cary, North Carolina; four grandchildren, Jamie (Tim) Nelson, Travis (Nicole) Orr and Derek (Kristin) Orr, all in the Raleigh area, and Lacey (Paul) Smith of Atlanta, Georgia; and eight great-grandchildren, Grant, Clara, Evelyn and Zach Nelson and Isabella, Olivia, Jackson and Emma Orr. She also leaves a sister, Mary Lauderback of Pekin; a nephew, Lee (Pam) Lauderback of Fort Collins, Colorado; and a niece, Lynn Lauderback of Florida.
Phyllis attended Pekin Community High School, graduating in 1946, and received a bachelor of arts degree from Bradley university in 1950. She was a member of the Chi Omega sorority, serving as President her senior year. She taught second grade at Georgetown School in North Pekin for four years before being a stay-at-home mom. Later, she taught kindergarten and 6th grade in Pekin. She also substituted in various grades over the years. She was active in her children’s activities during those years, serving as Den Mother in the Cub Scouts and PTA president and following the sports activities they were engaged in.
Phyllis was very active on many service boards and social organizations all her life, including serving as president, secretary and/or treasurer for the Pekin Chapter of the American Red Cross, the United Way, Dirksen Guild, YWCA, Y Reserves and Church Women United. She was also a member of the chapter LM of the PEO Sisterhood, where she served as president and other positions.
She was a lifelong member of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, where she was director of the Altar Guild for over 40 years, a member of the Vestry and active in the Episcopal Churchwomen.
Phyllis and Bob were blessed with their 72 years of marriage. They enjoyed traveling throughout this country and abroad, the theater, dancing, playing bridge with friends and attending sports events and family events and activities. They especially cherished the bi-annual family vacations they planned. Over the years, there were many of these to many different places, and as the family grew and spread out across the country, it was a means of keeping the bonds of family alive.
She will be missed by all.
Visitation for Phyllis will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Henderson Funeral Home and Crematory. Funeral services will follow at 12 noon. Cremation will be accorded after the services, with inurnment at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 343 Buena Vista Ave., Pekin, IL 61554.
To view Phyllis’ tribute page and leave an online condolence, go to www. hendersonfuneralcare.com.