John D. Orcutt

John D. Orcutt, 85, of Peru, passed away, Saturday, August 22, 2015 at his home.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Thursday, August 27, 2015 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Peru with Pastor Brett Todd of Grace United Methodist Church, LaSalle officiating.
Burial will follow in Peru City Cemetery.
Visitation will be 5-7:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Orcutt was born August 25, 1929 in Hoopston to John and Donna (Hocutt) Orcutt.
He married Joan Zeller on December 26, 1948 in Cissna Park Methodist Church.
Mr. Orcutt was a graduate of Watseka High School and later graduated from the University of Illinois with a double Masters Degree in Education and Administration. He taught school in Bureau and LaSalle County for many years and was a vocational counselor at LaSalle-Peru High School. He coordinated job placement training and tested students for aptitude for 15 schools in all or part of five counties. He started the Vocational Center, inviting 15 schools to participate to enrich the lives of their students. He challenged students and brought out the best in them, helping them to feel a sense of accomplishment and self-worth. He always encouraged students to continue to improve themselves throughout their lives.
Mr. Orcutt was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in LaSalle. He and his wife loved to travel, visiting five continents and the Antarctic, enjoying the rich culture and ethnic peoples.
Survivors include his three children, Cindy (Jon) Wilson of Peru, Richard (Wendy) Orcutt of Florida and Connie (Craig) Hagie of Spring Valley; 11 grandchildren, Jaquelline, Tyler, Jason, Parker, Amy, Jason, Ben, Alex, Jacob, Andrea and Alicia, nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, June Perry and Lois West; one brother, Howard Orcutt and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joan on March 30, 2015; one sister, Charlotte Orcutt and one brother, Charlie Orcutt.