Orville "Pete" Bertram Sampson

Orville “Pete” Bertram Sampson, 90, of Peru passed away August 10, 2016 in St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

Funeral services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Peru on Tuesday at 12:00 PM with Pastor Timothy Kenyon officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of service in the church. Cremation rites will follow the services and with a private burial in Peru City Cemetery. The Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle is assisting the family with the arrangements.  

Orville was born in Prairie Center on May 18, 1926 to Bertram and Clara (Classon) Sampson. He married Phyllis Jacobson on November 24, 1951 at Zion United Church of Christ in Peru. Phyllis died on December 28, 1978. 

Orville attended Serena High School and farmed with his father. He worked for the Laborers and at Libbey Owens Ford Glass Factory in Ottawa. The majority of his employment years were spent working as a machine repairman while earning his degree to become an electrician at Sundstrand where he remained until his retirement.  

Orville was a long time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and took part in the Brotherhood church organization.  He loved his family and his faith in God above all else. Being a family man was his proudest accomplishment. His pride and joy was being a good, caring father of 10, grandfather of 11, and great-grandfather of 4. He was always smiling and eager to tell a good story or joke. He loved talking about the hard working days of farming and sharing stories about the love he had for his brother, Kermitte and the sadness he felt after his death while serving in WWII. He was overjoyed when his children hosted a 90th birthday party for him with friends and a large extended family at the church this past May. Orville LOVED the Chicago Cubs. He will be remembered as a man who when asked how he was doing, would say, “I can’t complain.”

Orville is survived by 1 sister, Janice (Ellie) Wold of Ottawa and 1 sister-in-law, Phyllis (Dick) Jacobson of Chicago and several nieces and nephews.  His immediate survivors include 4 daughters: Karen Leonard, Susan (Gregg) Flaherty, Kay (Mike) Raineri, and Gloria Sampson all of Peru and 5 sons: Orville Jr of Spring Valley, Larry (Nancy) of Chicago, Jim of Peru, Terry (Nancy) of Naperville and Kevin (Laura) of Peru. His 11 grandchildren are: Julie, Amy, Michael, Jennifer, Becky, Kaitlin, Kelly, Christopher, Peter, Madeline, and Maxwell. He has 4 great-grandchildren as well: Elery, Joseph, Sydney, and Kennedy.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis, his parents, his brother Kermitte Sampson, and 3 sisters, Arlette (Joe) Giachino, Gladys (Carl) Schmitt, and Bernice (Curt) Grunstad, and a daughter Julie Ann in infancy.  

Memorials may be directed to the family.  Pallbearers will be his family.

 Service Information