Orr, Alvin J.

Alvin J. Orr, 74, of Onslow, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Lahey Funeral Home in Wyoming. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Wyoming Cemetery, with a luncheon at the Memorial Hall in Wyoming.

Alvin was born Aug. 20, 1937, in Onslow, Iowa, the youngest of eight children of Alva J. Orr and Averill (Stickley) Orr. After attending school at the Cass Country School in rural Anamosa, he worked at Clinton Engines in Maquoketa while also farming. He was a lifetime farmer who loved working around the farm and especially enjoyed his beef cattle. He often would tell stories of his younger days with his horse, Chickasha. He was a good herding horse and the neighbors would always come and get him if they ever had cattle out.

Alvin was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was an honest and fair man who would always lend a hand to help, if he could. He often had a big smile on his face and loved to tell a good story.

He will be greatly missed by those who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his son, Mike (Beth) Orr, and

his grandsons, Brock and Brandon, all of Onslow; his sisters, Carol Null of Cascade and Doris Jeanne Herren of Anamosa; and many nieces and nephews.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Dean, Jack and Harbison; and his sisters, Dorothy and Aurilla.

Online condolences may be left for the family at .

Published Nov. 14, 2011, in The Gazette