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Orel, Jerry Wayne

Orel, Jerry Wayne

Male 1944 - 2014  (69 years)


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  • Name Orel, Jerry Wayne 
    Jerry Wayne Orel (1944-2014)
    Birth 17 Oct 1944  Olney, Richland County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Gender Male 
    Reference Number OREL.J001 
    _FGRAVE 129773091 
    Military Service Viet Nam War, Specialist Fourth Class, United States Army 
    • He served his country during the Vietnam War.
    United States of America Flag, 50 Stars (1960 - Present)

    This is the current flag of the United States. This flag became the official United States flag in 1960 when a star was added for the State of Hawaii. It replaced the short-lived 49-star flag (July 4, 1959 - July 3, 1960) honoring the State of Alaska. An Executive Order by President Eisenhower provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine…
    United States Army

    Prior to the establishment of the "Department of the Army Emblem", there was no official display item to identify the Army. The Seal had traditionally been used to authenticate documents only and was not authorized for public display. In recognizing the need to provide a display item, the Secretary of the Army approved the emblem design as the…
    United States Army
    Specialist (abbreviated as SPC) (paygrade E-4), United States Army

    (1985-2019)

    Initially, Specialist 3rd Class (SP3) (E-3), United States Army, (Mar 1955 - Sep 1959)

    Later, Specialist 4th Class (SP4) (E-4), United States Army, (Sep 1958 - 1985)

    Can manage other enlisted Soldiers of lower rank. Has served a minimum of two years and attended a specific training class to earn this promotion.

    People…
    Specialist (Rank)

    Specialist is a military rank in some countries’ armed forces. In the United States Armed Forces, it is one of the four junior enlisted ranks in the U.S. Army, above private (PVT), private (PV2), and private first class and is equivalent in pay grade to corporal. In the U.S. Space Force it consists of the four junior enlisted ranks, prior to…
    United States Army Enlisted Rank Insignia
    Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Unit Citation with Palm (Army Frame)

    The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross also known as the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross or Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (Vietnamese: Anh-Dũng Bội-Tinh) is a military decoration of the former Government of South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam). The medal was created on August 15, 1950 and was awarded to military personnel, civilians, and Armed Forces…
    Gallantry Cross, South Vietnam
    Generic Military Service Ribbons, Vietnam War, United States Army


    NOTE: This list may be incomplete.


    Contributed by Carl Wayne Gray

    Vietnam
    Vietnam War


    (1955-1975)

    Map of Military Installations during the Vietnam War


    Locate any Fire Base, Landing Zone, or Military Installation during the Vietnam War with this Interactive Google Map of Vietnam.

    Death 13 May 2014  West Salem, Edwards County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Burial Moravian Cemetery, West Salem, Edwards County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Headstone, Orel, Connie R. and Jerry
    Headstone, Orel, Jerry Wayne
    Person ID I31072  Carl Wayne Gray Research
    Last Modified 10 Jan 2025 

    Father Orel, Wayne L.,   b. 30 Apr 1912, West Salem, Edwards County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 14 Oct 1996, Richland County Memorial Hospital, Olney, Richland County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 84 years) 
    Mother Burton, Geneva F.,   b. 13 Nov 1915, Wabash County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 30 Jan 1992, Richland County Memorial Hospital, Olney, Richland County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 76 years) 
    Marriage 28 Apr 1934  Fairfield, Wayne County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F13036  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Smith, S. 
    Family ID F13033  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 31 Jan 2023 

    Family 2 Newton, Connie Rae,   b. 20 Jul 1947   d. 31 Jul 1992 (Age 45 years) 
    Family ID F13034  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 31 Jan 2023 

    Family 3 Shaw, T.S. 
    Family ID F13035  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 31 Jan 2023 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 17 Oct 1944 - Olney, Richland County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 13 May 2014 - West Salem, Edwards County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - - Moravian Cemetery, West Salem, Edwards County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Notes 
    • Jerry Wayne Orel, age 69 of West Salem, IL passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at his home, surrounded by his family.

      Jerry was born on October 17, 1944 in Olney, IL to Wayne and Geneva (Burton) Orel.

      He served his country during the Vietnam War.

      He married Tonya S. Shaw on March 4, 1993 in Clarksville, TN. (He first married Sherry Smith and later divorced. His second wife was Connie Keppler who passed away after a battle with cancer.)

      Jerry is survived by his wife, Tonya Orel, daughter, Holly (Orel) and husband Wade Prather, two sons: Dakota Orel (and fiancée Abbie Wolfe) and Dillon Orel. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Brooke Burgener, Shandon and Haydon Prather, and two great-grandchildren: Brock and Brayden Diel.

      He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Barbara Jean Orel, and one son, Shannon J. Orel.

      Jerry loved his family and many friends, and will most definitely be missed.

      A Celebration of a Life Well-Lived service was held at the Zion United Methodist Church in West Salem, IL.

      Private burial in the Moravian Cemetery will take place at a later date.

      In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jerry's grandchildren, to be used for college expenses.

  • Sources 
    1. [S9393] (Reliability: 2).

    2. [S9394] (Reliability: 2).