Ora "Pete" Irvin

Ora "Pete" Irvin, age 94 passed away on Sunday, November 27, 2022. Born March 18, 1928 the son of Carl Irvin and Fern (Johnson) Irvin in Wichita, Kansas. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Pete went to Central Intermediate and went as far as the 10th grade. He was in the Navy from 1945 to 1947. He spent his service time in the Bikini Atol in the Marshall Islands, Operation Crossroads. Pete loved his time in the Navy. He worked for boeing a short time and then 42 years at the Wichita Eagle. He learned to do silversmithing, rock tumbling and make jewelry. Pete made necklaces, earrings, bolo ties and belt buckles. Later, he started to put eyes on rocks and called them bugs so he became known as "the bug man." Pete loved riding motorcycles. He started riding in 1952 and continued until March 2022 until his fall. He has had 14 different bikes with the last 3 being trikes. Pete and Audrey took many trips on the bikes and later after Audrey passed, he met Barbara Mesnier and they took several trips on his trike. Pete also loved to go dancing which he did with Audrey and later with Barbara. He and Barbara went to all the senior dances until COVID shut everything down. He told corny jokes and was always making people smile and laugh. Pete brought so much joy to everyone he met.

Preceded in death by his parents Carl and Fern Irvin; loving wife, Audrey Irvin; and 11 siblings.

Survived by his significant other, Barbara Mesnier; daughter, Donna Belt; son, Eddie Irvin; siblings, Leroy Irvin, Omega "Cindy" Kessler and Arthur "Art" Irvin; 4 grandchildren, Jennifer (Chris) Scheuber, Lee (Patricia) Belt, Meghan (Michael) Snyder and Jonathan Irvin; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to attend the visitation from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, December 5, 2022 at Lakeview Funeral Home, 12100 E. 13th St. N., Wichita, KS 67206.

Funeral service for Pete will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at Lakeview Funeral Home, 12100 E. 13th St. N., Wichita, KS 67206.

Burial with Military Funeral Honors will follow the service at Lakeview Cemetery in the Garden of Everlasting Life.

Memorial contributions in Pete's memory can be made to Tree of Life Church Inc., 702 E. Harry Street, Wichita, KS 67211.