Kenneth W. Orr

Kenneth “Kenny” W. Orr

April 30, 1959 - December 31, 2023

Kenny passed away at home surrounded by his wife, daughters, and grandson.

Kenny was born April 30, 1959, in Streator, Illinois to Clarence and Elizabeth (Morgan) Orr. He attended Streator schools. He married Karen (Council) on March 4, 1978.

Throughout his life, Kenny worked hard at everything he did, even working multiple jobs at once when needed. He worked for Novotney’s Grocery, Melvin Sales Trucking, was a forklift driver at Thatcher Glass Manufacturing 1977-1992, drove for Air Products 1992- 2006, owned Orr’s Westgate Liquors 2007- 2019, and finally retired from Calkins Trucking April 2021. He was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. 

Kenny enjoyed motorcycle rides, camping, and fishing. He was a jack-of-all-trades and was always tinkering in the garage or on house projects to make things more efficient. He was the one the family called when they had questions or needed help with something. He loved to share his wisdom by teaching his kids or grandkids how to be self-sufficient, educating them on how things worked or how to fix something. He would not just fix it for others, but he’d teach others how to do it themselves. He was an independence-promoter. Kenny always had a story to tell, and he wanted people to remember him as he was, someone that enjoyed life and loved talking to people.

Kenny is survived by his wife and best friend, Karen, of 45 years, daughters, Stephanie Kee of Big Sandy Tennessee and Lindsay Orr of Streator; five grandchildren, Brandon, Kenny, Austin, Adam, and Emma, mother Elizabeth “Betty” Orr of Streator, sisters, Kathy (Kevin) Earing of Dwight IL, Debbie (Don) Oliver of Streator, and Donna Carman (Clint Maki) of Hurst Texas; and many other aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his father Clarence W. Orr (2009) and brother Daniel L. Orr (2012).

Cremation rites to be accorded through Winterrowd Funeral Home; A private family service to be conducted at a later date.

“Your coffee cup, your old worn hat, there sits your empty chair. Neither time nor distance will erase you from our hearts. We’ll be missing you.”