Ora “Orie” James Dailey

Ora “Orie” James Dailey, 88, of Monico, passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025.

Orie was born on April 30, 1937, in Monico, to Guy E. and Magdalene (Cholewinski) Dailey. He was raised in Monico on Venus Lake, where his parents owned and operated Lake Venus Tavern. His father Guy was the creator of the Green Monster known to all as the “Rhinelapus” which for many years was displayed outside at the tavern and now has a permanent home at the Monico Community Park. Orie attended Three Lakes High School, graduating in 1955. He then pursued a degree in teaching, attending a teacher’s college in Antigo. After receiving his degree Orie taught various grades at the public school in Newald for one year.

In 1958, Orie began working for his brother Walter in his logging business. Back in the day, they first had draft horses to skid the logs, eventually having skidders. He and Walt always used chainsaws. They worked in the woods together until Walt’s retirement in 1990. Orie continued on creating Dailey Logging Inc. and eventually went on to incorporate producing log home timbers for various log home companies, contractors and private landowners.

Orie met his future wife Harlean Jayes while attending the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Rhinelander. The couple dated for a time and were united in marriage on August 27, 1960, in Rhinelander. The couple lived in Monico, and they were blessed with almost sixty-five years of marriage.

Orie loved sharing his passion and love of the Bible through bible study. He enjoyed speaking of God’s promises for the future. Orie had a strong faith, which provided hope through his life, that God’s promises would be fulfilled. He officially dedicated his life to God as a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1957 and for many years served as an elder in the Rhinelander Congregation.

Orie enjoyed being a birder and could identify many birds by sound. This gift lives on through his nephew Darren who shared his love of birds. He also enjoyed trips to Canada, which included camping on an island, and often having his nephews and nieces accompany he and his wife. He loved to learn, was known for being patient, especially with children, and at 4:30 p.m. you could find Orie watching Jeopardy, jotting down his answers in a notebook as he played against the contestants. He also enjoyed playing numerous board games and cards with Scrabble being one of his favorites. He loved trout fishing on the Brule River and Elvoy Creek, was an avid deer hunter, always looking forward to hunting season with his family and close friends.

Orie and Harlean became foster parents and offered love and patience to children.  They loved Beagles, owning six of them during their many years of marriage.  

He will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Harlean, one brother, Walter Dailey, of Alabama, and a sister, Shirley Rose, of Florida. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, along with other relatives and friends, and his four-legged companion, Barkley. He deeply cherished his longtime friendship with Don Grabher of Waukesha, who was a constant source of joy and companionship throughout his later years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by four brothers and six sisters.

The memorial service will take place on Saturday, June 28, at 1 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, located at 1980 E. Winnebago Street, Rhinelander. Light refreshments will be served at the end of the service.

The service may be joined via Zoom by using the following credentials: Meeting ID 821 5928 6606; Password 208617; Dial in number 1-312-626-6799; https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82159286606?pwd=caglxpBlwtfbd5qJZemkRBhpqNPFs.1.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.