Orloff H. Hicks, 92, of Rochelle, passed away on Wed., May 30, 2012 in the home he built in 1954. He was born on June 17, 1919 in Bonnie, IL, the son of Artie N. and Susan (Schultz) Hicks. Orloff graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1937, received a Bachelors Degree in History and Political Science from Southern IL University in 1949 and then received a Masters Degree in School Administration. On June 1, 1941 he married Mildred E. Bumpus in Mt. Vernon, IL. During WWII, he served 3 ½ years in the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific, Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines.

He began his teaching career at Hungry Hill, a one-room school house in rural Bonnie, IL. For 30 years he was with the Rochelle Elementary Schools, as Teacher, Principal and District Superintendent, where he retired from in 1977. Memberships include Rochelle United Methodist Church, and was instrumental in the fundraising and building plans for Hicks Hall which houses Sunday school classes and fellowship meetings. He was an over 50 year member of Rochelle Lions Club and received the Melvin Jones Award which was the Lions highest award; 57 year member of Horicon Masonic Lodge and member of VFW Post 3878. He served 8 years on the Flagg Township Library Board, served 12 years on the Ogle County Board, charter and life member and 2nd President of Flagg Township Historical Society, 3 year member of Rochelle Long Range Planning Committee, and 3 years as a Rochelle Community Hospital volunteer. In 1975, he received the Rochelle Community Leader Award. Orloff also coached Little League baseball and was a Boy Scout Leader.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sister; 3 brothers and son-in-law: Christopher Krainak on Dec. 23, 1995.

Survivors include his wife: Millie of Rochelle; son: James (Valerie) Hicks and children: Tracey, Tina and Nathan of Cape Coral, FL; daughters: Drenda Krainak of Rockford, IL and Jan (Bob) Rutt of Fairfield, IA; brothers-in-law: Loren Bumpus of Bonnie, IL and James Ambrey of Carey, IL.

Services will be held on Monday, June 4, 2012 at 10:30 AM at Rochelle United Methodist Church with Rev. Cindy Marino. Visitation will be Sunday, from 2 to 4 PM at Unger-Horner
Funeral Home with Masonic Services at 4 PM. Entombment at Lawnridge Mausoleum in Rochelle with Military Rites provided by Eastern Lee-Ogle Honor Guard. Family requests memorials to Rochelle United Methodist Church, David Crawford Foundation, or Rochelle Lions Club.