Ora L. Gress, 93, of Effingham, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

A memorial mass will be held at 11:30 am Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in St. Anthony Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am to the time of mass, Saturday at the church. Memorial donations may be given to the Sacred Heart School fund, the American Heart Association or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Ora was born December 28, 1930, in Batchtown, IL, the daughter of Leon and Dorothy (Squire) Johnson. She married Audry V. Gress on November 24, 1948, in Hardin, IL, and he preceded her in death on March 11, 2020. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Effingham, IL. Ora was a very talented seamstress and owned her own fabric store in Rock Falls, IL. She was an exceptional interior decorator and worked for years, for and with one of her best friends Marilyn Purcell of Effingham,IL.  Her favorite hobby was cooking, and shewould serve amazing five course holiday meals to her family and friends. She cherished spending time with her family and was a wonderful mother and grandmother to her children and grandchildren.

Ora is survived by her children, Mike (Nancy) of Indianapolis, IN, Tim (Vicky) of Mansfield, Lisa (Steve) Moore, Mary (Dave) Walters, and Vicki Gress all of Effingham; ten grandchildren, Bridget, Hillary, Patrick, Caitlin, Lauren, Collin, Daniel, Britney, Aaron and Jenny; and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Ora was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son, James Patrick "Pat" Gress.