Orville E. Hodge

1939 - 2023

Orville E. Hodge
Born: January 20, 1939
Died: July 14, 2023
Orville E. Hodge, 84 of Sterling died Friday July 14, 2023 at Winning Wheels in Prophetstown.
Orville was born on January 20, 1939 in Milledgeville, the son of George Lavere and Mary Catherine (Vock) Hodge. He graduated from Sterling High School in 1957 and was a veteran of the Vietnam War having served in the US Airforce. Orville married Judy Van Natta on June 18, 1966 in St. Mary Church, Sterling. As a young man, Orville helped farm with his dad. He was a mail carrier for the Sterling post office, owned & ran the Country Kitchen restaurant, then farmed all the years he and Judy raised their children. After retiring from farming, he drove for Cobane Air Freight in Rock Falls. Although he suffered many personal losses early in life with the tragic deaths of his dad, sister and later a son and granddaughter, Orville followed the lifelong belief of the importance of a strong Faith and was a dedicated husband, dad and papa. Even though he was always busy on the farm, he never missed his children's sporting events or 4-H activities. He was proud of all of his grandkids and great grandkids and attended as many of their sporting & school events he and Judy could get to. He enjoyed being in charge of the 815 golf cart at the annual Carley Classic, racing around giving rides & delivering water and he was especially proud of grandson Adam, who followed in his choice of serving in the US Airforce. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, serving as usher, sacristan & delivering communion to homebound over the years.
Survivors include his wife, Judy; daughter Dawn (Scott) Harrielle; son, Steve (Melinda) Hodge; daughter in law Tina Hodge; brother, Joseph (Patricia) Hodge; sister Lucille Michels; grandchildren: Andy(Kate) O'Brien, Chris (Katie) O'Brien, Nick Savage, Adam, Maddie, Shelby & Sara Hodge, Nick, Sam, Luke & Matt Hodge, three great grandchildren; Rylan, Nora, Russell and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Louise Hodge; his son Gary Hodge; his granddaughter Carley Harrielle; his brother James Hodge and his brother in law Herman Michels.
Visitation will be Wednesday July 19, 2023 from 4-6 PM at the McDonald Funeral Home, 1002 12h Avenue in Rock Falls. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Thursday at 11:00 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sterling. Burial with military honors will conclude at Coloma Township Cemetery, Rock Falls. Memorials are being established.