Bernard J. Orsen

Bernard J. Orsen, 85, of Streator passed away Monday, December 4, 2017 at O.S.F Center for Health – Streator.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday at St. Michael the Archangel Church, Streator. Fr. Raymond Guthrie will officiate.

Visitation will be from 1-4 P.M. Sunday at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator.

Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery, Streator. Full military rites will be accorded by members of the Leslie G. Woods American Legion Post 217 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1492. Pallbearers will be grandchildren, Stephanie Brown, Shannon Brown and Tim Spaniol; and son in laws, Steve Spaniol, Ronald Elias and Bill Grimm. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Luke Elias, David Ferguson and a great granddaughter, Samantha Harris. 3rd Degree members of the Msgr. George A. Dzuryo Knights of Columbus Council # 790 will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Born June 20, 1932 in Wenona he was the son of Jacob and Alice (Topolski) Orsen. He married Marcella Holohan on October 30, 1954 in Streator. She preceded him in death on June 3, 2006. He later married Louise (Gaydos) Elias on June 5, 2010. She survives in Streator.

He is also survived by daughters, Connie (Steve) Spaniol of Manville and Cory (Ron) Elias of Streator; sons, Kevin (Siobhan) Elias of Streator, Daniel (Gina) Elias of Spring Valley granddaughters, Stephanie (Shannon) Brown, Gianna Elias and Mia Uranich; grandsons, Tim Spaniol, David (Heather) Ferguson, Luke Elias, Gabe Elias, Murphy Elias, D.J. Elias and Cory Uranich; great granddaughter, Samantha Harris; sisters, Frances Croft of California and Marjorie Piercall of Peoria; a son in law, Bill Grimm; also many nieces, nephews, brother in laws, sister in laws and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Marcella; a daughter, Coleen Grimm; sisters, Agnes Bartelt, Dorothy Winkel; and a brother, Daniel Orsen.

Born and raised in Wenona he attended Wenona Grade School and graduated from Wenona High School. While in high school he was a stand-out basketball player known as “daddy long legs”. His team reached the state tournament.

He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict where he saw extensive action on the front line. Bernie earned the Korean Service Ribbon, Bronze Service Star and many other awards and citations.

He worked for Transco for many years and retired in 1987 as the Head Foreman.

He was a member of the former St. Anthony Church and currently belonged to St. Michael the Archangel Church. He was also a member of the Msgr. George A. Dzuryo Knights of Columbus Council # 790, and formerly belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1492 and the Leslie G. Woods American Legion Post 217.

Bernie enjoyed woodworking, sports of every kind and was very proud of his garden. He will be sadly missed by all who loved and knew him.

Memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.solontelford.com

To send flowers to the family in memory of Bernard Orsen, please visit our flower store.

Visitation

Solon-Telford Funeral Home

Sunday December 10th, 2017

1:00pm - 4:00pm

301 S Park St
Streator, IL 61364

Mass of Christian Burial

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church

Monday December 11th, 2017

11:00am

801 Lundy St
Streator, IL 61364

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bernard J. Orsen, please visit our floral store.