Orville Liesman, 81, went to his heavenly home Monday, July 20, 2020. Born in Lincoln, Illinois, he was the son of Orville Reynold and Thema (Smalley) Liesman. He and his beloved wife, Maureen, lived in Illinois until moving to The Villages, Florida in 2006.
Orv’s life was distinguished by his Christian faith and service, both within and outside the church. He was a dedicated church high school youth group leader, taught youth and adult Sunday School classes, led men’s Bible study groups, delivered food to homebound seniors, and served as an elder in his churches in Illinois and Florida. Early in his career, he also made an impact for Christ in the lives of many young people as a high school teacher and football and basketball coach in Astoria and Galva, Illinois.
A graduate of Lincoln Community College and Monmouth College in Illinois, Orv played basketball and captained the football team at Monmouth. He met Maureen while they were both students there and they married in 1961. After several years of teaching and coaching, Orv made the transition into the business world, working with insurance and financial services companies for the remainder of his career. A loyal follower of Chicago and Illinois teams, Orv loved sports and mentoring young people, and returned to coaching on a part-time basis at the Illinois Math and Science Academy after his retirement.
Orv was an avid reader and also enjoyed golf and politics. He served as a precinct committeeman and finance chairman of the Knox County Republican Party in Illinois and cherished the memory of meeting with President Ronald Reagan at a campaign event in Chicago. He was an optimist, and spent his life encouraging and helping others. After moving to The Villages, Orv and Maureen became active members of North Lake Presbyterian Church, where he was able to continue ministering in this way with his church community.
Orv’s greatest legacy is his family, whom he nurtured and served with unconditional love. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Maureen (Smiley) Liesman; daughters Lynette (Brian) Norfleet of Ellisville, Missouri and Laura Liesman of Brielle, New Jersey; granddaughter Claire Norfleet and grandson Grant Norfleet, who loved him and treasured their close relationship with him.
He is also survived by siblings Gary (Kathy) Liesman, Margaret (Gary) Lawson, Carol Liesman, Coralee (Mark) Young, and Denise (Steve) Vinyard, along with many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Byron.
A celebration of life memorial service is being planned for later this year at North Lake Presbyterian Church.
Orv’s life was distinguished by his Christian faith and service, both within and outside the church. He was a dedicated church high school youth group leader, taught youth and adult Sunday School classes, led men’s Bible study groups, delivered food to homebound seniors, and served as an elder in his churches in Illinois and Florida. Early in his career, he also made an impact for Christ in the lives of many young people as a high school teacher and football and basketball coach in Astoria and Galva, Illinois.
A graduate of Lincoln Community College and Monmouth College in Illinois, Orv played basketball and captained the football team at Monmouth. He met Maureen while they were both students there and they married in 1961. After several years of teaching and coaching, Orv made the transition into the business world, working with insurance and financial services companies for the remainder of his career. A loyal follower of Chicago and Illinois teams, Orv loved sports and mentoring young people, and returned to coaching on a part-time basis at the Illinois Math and Science Academy after his retirement.
Orv was an avid reader and also enjoyed golf and politics. He served as a precinct committeeman and finance chairman of the Knox County Republican Party in Illinois and cherished the memory of meeting with President Ronald Reagan at a campaign event in Chicago. He was an optimist, and spent his life encouraging and helping others. After moving to The Villages, Orv and Maureen became active members of North Lake Presbyterian Church, where he was able to continue ministering in this way with his church community.
Orv’s greatest legacy is his family, whom he nurtured and served with unconditional love. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Maureen (Smiley) Liesman; daughters Lynette (Brian) Norfleet of Ellisville, Missouri and Laura Liesman of Brielle, New Jersey; granddaughter Claire Norfleet and grandson Grant Norfleet, who loved him and treasured their close relationship with him.
He is also survived by siblings Gary (Kathy) Liesman, Margaret (Gary) Lawson, Carol Liesman, Coralee (Mark) Young, and Denise (Steve) Vinyard, along with many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Byron.
A celebration of life memorial service is being planned for later this year at North Lake Presbyterian Church.
Orville Liesman, 81, went to his heavenly home Monday, July 20, 2020. Born in Lincoln, Illinois, he was the son of Orville Reynold and Thema (Smalley) Liesman. He and his beloved wife, Maureen, lived in Illinois until moving to The Villages, Florida in 2006.
Orv’s life was distinguished by his Christian faith and service, both within and outside the church. He was a dedicated church high school youth group leader, taught youth and adult Sunday School classes, led men’s Bible study groups, delivered food to homebound seniors, and served as an elder in his churches in Illinois and Florida. Early in his career, he also made an impact for Christ in the lives of many young people as a high school teacher and football and basketball coach in Astoria and Galva, Illinois.
A graduate of Lincoln Community College and Monmouth College in Illinois, Orv played basketball and captained the football team at Monmouth. He met Maureen while they were both students there and they married in 1961. After several years of teaching and coaching, Orv made the transition into the business world, working with insurance and financial services companies for the remainder of his career. A loyal follower of Chicago and Illinois teams, Orv loved sports and mentoring young people, and returned to coaching on a part-time basis at the Illinois Math and Science Academy after his retirement.
Orv was an avid reader and also enjoyed golf and politics. He served as a precinct committeeman and finance chairman of the Knox County Republican Party in Illinois and cherished the memory of meeting with President Ronald Reagan at a campaign event in Chicago. He was an optimist, and spent his life encouraging and helping others. After moving to The Villages, Orv and Maureen became active members of North Lake Presbyterian Church, where he was able to continue ministering in this way with his church community.
Orv’s greatest legacy is his family, whom he nurtured and served with unconditional love. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Maureen (Smiley) Liesman; daughters Lynette (Brian) Norfleet of Ellisville, Missouri and Laura Liesman of Brielle, New Jersey; granddaughter Claire Norfleet and grandson Grant Norfleet, who loved him and treasured their close relationship with him.
He is also survived by siblings Gary (Kathy) Liesman, Margaret (Gary) Lawson, Carol Liesman, Coralee (Mark) Young, and Denise (Steve) Vinyard, along with many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Byron.
A celebration of life memorial service is being planned for later this year at North Lake Presbyterian Church.
Orv’s life was distinguished by his Christian faith and service, both within and outside the church. He was a dedicated church high school youth group leader, taught youth and adult Sunday School classes, led men’s Bible study groups, delivered food to homebound seniors, and served as an elder in his churches in Illinois and Florida. Early in his career, he also made an impact for Christ in the lives of many young people as a high school teacher and football and basketball coach in Astoria and Galva, Illinois.
A graduate of Lincoln Community College and Monmouth College in Illinois, Orv played basketball and captained the football team at Monmouth. He met Maureen while they were both students there and they married in 1961. After several years of teaching and coaching, Orv made the transition into the business world, working with insurance and financial services companies for the remainder of his career. A loyal follower of Chicago and Illinois teams, Orv loved sports and mentoring young people, and returned to coaching on a part-time basis at the Illinois Math and Science Academy after his retirement.
Orv was an avid reader and also enjoyed golf and politics. He served as a precinct committeeman and finance chairman of the Knox County Republican Party in Illinois and cherished the memory of meeting with President Ronald Reagan at a campaign event in Chicago. He was an optimist, and spent his life encouraging and helping others. After moving to The Villages, Orv and Maureen became active members of North Lake Presbyterian Church, where he was able to continue ministering in this way with his church community.
Orv’s greatest legacy is his family, whom he nurtured and served with unconditional love. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Maureen (Smiley) Liesman; daughters Lynette (Brian) Norfleet of Ellisville, Missouri and Laura Liesman of Brielle, New Jersey; granddaughter Claire Norfleet and grandson Grant Norfleet, who loved him and treasured their close relationship with him.
He is also survived by siblings Gary (Kathy) Liesman, Margaret (Gary) Lawson, Carol Liesman, Coralee (Mark) Young, and Denise (Steve) Vinyard, along with many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Byron.
A celebration of life memorial service is being planned for later this year at North Lake Presbyterian Church.
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