Thursday, June 21st, 2012
Dan Orr
Dan G. Orr, 70, Redkey, Ind., died June 19, 2012, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis following a motorcycle accident.
He was born Feb. 14, 1942, in Dunkirk, to Karl Ed and Jean Curry Orr. In 1984, he married Anita Henthorn Weesner, who survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Andrew (Melissa) Orr, Montana, Rodney (Stephanie) Weesner, Dunkirk, and Wade (Marci) Weesner, Trafalger, Ind.; four daughters, Sarah (Tony) Purpura, Montana, Dawn (Bill) Shoaff, Fla., Maria (Ryan) Baker, Portland, and Kristy (Ryan) Clark, Dyer, Ind.; a sister, Andrea (Lou) Mehrer, Virginia; 16 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
He had retired in 2009 as a science and biology teacher for Jay County High School after teaching for 30 years. He also farmed in Richland and Jefferson townships and worked as an auctioneer. He graduated from Dunkirk High School and Hanover College and received masters degrees from Penn State and the University of Missouri. He served two years in the Peace Corps in Indonesia and Kenya.
A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he was awarded two Purple Hearts for serving in Vietnam. He served on the Jay County Council, Jay County Hospital Board, Jay County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, Board of Arts Place, Limberlost Wetlands Committee, Jay County Solid Waste District and Benson's Hog Chapter. He received the Star of Character Award in 2009.
Services are 7 p.m. Friday at Fellowship Baptist Church, Portland, the Rev. Randy Davis officiating.
Calling is 1-6 p.m. Friday at the church.
Baird-Freeman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Jay County Arts Council, Riley Children's Hospital or Dan Orr Scholarship Fund.
Condolences can be left at bairdfreeman.com.
