Carmen L. (Gard) Orr, 59, of New Castle, went home to be with the Lord on the afternoon of Monday, June 22, 2020, peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on March 5, 1961, in New Castle, Indiana. Carmen always felt blessed to be the daughter of George P. Gard Sr. and Wanda Lou Bertram.
Carmen attended New Castle High School and then married the love of her life, Bruce Orr, on May 28, 1982. She was a selfless caregiver who put everyone else’s needs above her own. Carmen said her greatest achievement in life was raising her children. An excellent cook, she found joy in feeding her family. Carmen’s love for her family, and especially her grandchildren, excelled all other things she enjoyed. Carmen loved to go out to eat and liked to enjoy a good steak. She loved bowling and was inducted into the Henry County Bowling Association. In her downtime, she enjoyed her flowers, gardening, playing cards, and fishing. Carmen loved her two church families at Cross Road Church and The Sanctuary.
Those left to cherish Carmen’s memory include her loving mother, Wanda Bertram; her best friend and devoted husband of 38 years, Bruce Orr; three caring children, Derek (Alissa) Orr, Nikki (Matthew) Daffron, and Neva (Princeton) Orr all of New Castle; six grandchildren, Connor, Cadence, Cory, Alana, Lillyana, Ella Ruth; brother, Phil (Vanessa) Gard of Mooreland, sister, Cindy Reeves of New Castle, brother, Voyle Dean (Tina) Gard of Mooreland, and brother, Kenny Bertram of New Castle; her special second mom, Frances Free of New Castle; her mother-in-law, Helen Orr Stephens of New Castle; a sister-in-law, Teresa (Jef) Armstrong; three brothers-in-law, Scott (Carla) Simpkins, Joe (Cindy) Simpkins, and David (Cathy) Simpkins, and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, George P. “Muscles” Gard; her “Pops” Gene Bertram; a brother, Duffy Cook; father-in-law, Fred Orr; mother-in-law, Joann (Sam) Gann, and two brothers-in-law, Jim Simpkins and Dennis Orr.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, June 27, 2020, at Sproles Family Funeral Home with Pastor Matthew Daffron officiating. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery West Lawn Addition.
Friends may call from 4 – 8 pm Friday at the funeral home.
You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com.