Dale Orr

     Dale Alfred Orr rounded home plate to be with Jesus on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 in Evansville, IN. Dale was born November 5, 1953 to Sammy and Delores (Chapman) Orr in Carmi, IL.

     Dale graduated from Carmi Township High School in 1971. He married Sandy Browning on April 8, 1972. By all accounts, he was the finest butcher in the area. He started his career at Wags Market when he was a teenager and recently retired from the meat departments of Little Giant and Fifth Street Market. In retirement, Dale enjoyed being the morning crossing guard for Washington Attendance Center. His happy greeting and smile were the first of the day for many students, making him a favorite at school. Dale gave his life to Christ in 1978 and was a faithful follower of Jesus from then on. He was a longtime member of Concord United Methodist Church and later Carmi Emmanuel Church. He took great joy in serving his church as a greeter, part of the Nurture Committee, an usher, part of a serving committee, VBS volunteer, and a volunteer for the summer lunch program. Dale was also a third degree Mason with the Masonic Lodge.

     Dale was selfless, always putting his wife, children, and others before himself. Without a doubt, his true pride and joy was his family. He was willing to help whenever and wherever he was needed. He made everyone he met feel welcome, comfortable, and encouraged. Those traits made him a renowned baseball and softball coach over the years, touching the lives of many young athletes, including his own kids and grandkids. He served as President of the Carmi Recreational Summer League throughout the 1990s. In later years, he could be found harassing the referees and umpires at sporting events throughout the area. Dale was a sports fanatic, watching professional sports on TV, but his heart bled maroon and white, always supporting the Bulldogs, especially when his grandkids were playing. In addition to sports, Dale was also a true outdoorsman, thoroughly enjoying fishing, hunting, boating, and even mowing. Traveling with his wife, Sandy, and their lifelong friends, Jack and Debbie Simmons, was something he looked forward to. He liked to cook and serve food for others. He was an animal-lover and the best secret-teller around!

     Dale is survived by his wife of more than 53 years, Sandy (Browning) Orr; children Jennifer (Steve) Phelps, Melinda (Jonathan) Girot, and Brian (Tracy) Orr; grandchildren Tyson (Liz) Russell, Max Johnson, Eleanor Orr, Briar Girot, Clay Phelps, Matilda Orr, Brinley Girot, Bethany (Maddie) Phelps, Cody (Emilee) Phelps, Adam (Hannah) Phelps, Mikayla (Austin) Phelps; great grandchildren June, Miles, Maggie, Sutton, Vivian; in-laws Chris Browning, Brian (Sheila) Browning, Mark Browning, Janet (John) Klueg; special niece Deanna Martin; and precious friends Jack and Debbie Simmons.

     He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Judy (Orr) Martin; 2 sisters-in-law Ladonna and Carla; and mother and father-in-law, Gertie and Carl Browning.

     Funeral Services for Dale Orr, 72, of Crossville will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Carmi Emmanuel Church, 203 Edgewood Lane, Carmi, IL 62821. Burial will follow in Concord Cemetery near Carmi. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Carmi Emmanuel Church where Masonic Rites will be performed by the May Lodge #718 at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dale's memory to Carmi Emmanuel Church Youth. Envelopes will be available at the church or may be mailed to Campbell Funeral Home, 609 W.Main St., Carmi, IL 62821 who is assisting the family with arrangements.