John L. Orso, 85, of Crystal Lake; Community Volunteer, Member of St. Thomas Church

John L. Orso, 85, of Crystal Lake, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013 at Centregra of Woodstock.

He was born on Dec. 2, 1927, in Aurora, the son of Giovanni and Maria Orso.

He graduated from Marmion Academy, served in the U.S. Army, and received a bachelor of arts degree in business from the University of Notre Dame.

John worked 39 years for NICOR, serving as district superintendent during his last eight years before retiring in 1989.

A parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish for 50 years, he served as parish council president, a member of Knights of Columbus #3880 and as chair of the Apostolic Commission.

He served on the first board of directors of the Crystal Lake United Way and later as chairman, served on the board of the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, member of the Crystal Lake Rotary and the McHenry County Notre Dame Club.
John volunteered throughout the community in many organizations such as the Community for Upholding Persons jail ministry, Pioneer Center/Public Action to Deliver Shelter and led many blood drives for the Heartland Blood Bank.

John was united in marriage at St. Nicholas Church in Aurora on Nov. 23, 1950, to Marilyn (nee Schuler).

He will be deeply missed not only by Marilyn, but his eight loving children: Catherine (Julio) of Libertyville, Mary (Lee) Putman of Klamath Falls, Ore., Laurie (John) Dulac of North Canton, Ohio, John (Cathy) Orso of Crystal Lake, Susan Charles of Crystal Lake, Michael Orso of Bloomington, Martha Orso of Evanston, Ellen (Jay) Noecker of North Aurora, his 10 grandchildren and two great - grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Martha and Katherine.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 at Skaja Bachman Funeral Home, 7715 W. Route 14 in Crystal Lake.

A Mass of Resurrection will take place-  time pending at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave. (Route 176), Crystal Lake.

Interment will be private for the family in the Catholic section of Crystal Lake Memorial Park, Crystal Lake.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Adoration Chapel Fund, United Way of Greater McHenry County, Senior Care Volunteer Network.