John Francis Orwen of Lincoln, died Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at the Monarch Hospice House after a 5-year battle with cancer. He was born on June 20, 1946 to Clarence “Jack” and Dora Orwen in Beatrice, NE. He graduated from Beatrice High School in 1964. He married Joan Zimmerman in 1965. He had many occupations throughout his life including: Shoe repairman at Bell’s Shoe Repair in Beatrice, manager of Gibson Discount Stores in Beatrice and Nebraska City, electronic technician for Addressograph Multigraph, service technician for CableVision, where he worked his way up to regional engineer, maintenance technician at the National Bank of Commerce, and at last maintenance technician for the Arter Group. In Sept. of 2002, he and Gladys Buss went to Sheridan, Wyoming on a vacation, and came back married. His friends Jim and Martha Mack were in on the surprise wedding, and stood up for them as their witnesses. They met while both were working at the National Bank of Commerce.
During his life he had many hobbies: he became interested in Ham Radios as a teenager, and was still a member in the Lincoln Amateur Radio Club. He ran the BBS – “Heart of the Country” from 1995-2001. He also enjoyed traveling, photography, genealogy, wood-working, and of course working on his many computers, including an old CoCo computer that he had. He was a hard-working, kind soul, with a witty sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Gladys Buss; daughter and son-in-law, Jeanne and James Clavijo, grandchildren, Brandy and Beau Clavijo; mother-in-law, Clara Buss of Adams; aunt and uncle, Priscilla and Gean Thompson of Joplin, MO; sister-in-law, Ardyth Orwen, brothers-in-law and spouses, Larry and Elaine Blumer of Arlington, TX, Rod Buss, Jerome and Renee’ Buss, Myron and Sharon Buss, Ivan Buss, and Gene Buss; sister-in-law and spouse, Veronica and Brian Kline of Vancouver, WA. Numerous nieces and nephews, and many other family members and friends. Special friends: Dennis Mathias, Ron Kolarik, and Richard Lorenzen.
Preceding him in death were his parents: Clarence “Jack” Orwen and Dora Robinson Orwen; brothers, Charles and Mike Orwen; sisters, Mary Blumer and Jackie Rowden; father-in-law, Henry H. Buss, aunts and uncles.
We would like to say a “Special Thanks” to John’s doctors and caretakers: Dr. Cederberg, Dr. Rau, Dr. Yiee, Dr. Chiu, Dr. Berg, the great staff at Asera Hospice, and at Monarch Hospice House, and to Mable Quick for her never-ending help and support.
A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at the Wyuka Funeral Home, on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Obituary
Sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure to work with John at Cablevision. Such an awesome man! I remember him bring in “naturally” organic vegetables! He was a man before his time!
Julie Southwick
The memories of our times and friendship have suddenly been brought into sharp focus. I cherish those especially now and will never forget.
You entertained everyone and genuinely helped many. We won’t forget you.
The memories of our times and friendship have suddenly been brought into sharp focus. I cherish those especially now and will never forget.
You entertained everyone and genuinely helped many. We won’t forget you. 73s de W0QR
still; no words are coming
i have never been in this situation. I have hugged and loved larry more since this happened and still is not enough i will in my own awkward way try and bring you some type of healing. It won’t be just me it will be ALL OF THE GANG
love ya lots just me
My sincerest condolences Gladys. I will be thinking of you.
May God hold you close, comfort you gently, and carry you through, Gladys, as you mourn the loss of John. Your time together was too short, and you waited a long time for the right man, but I’m sure the wait was worth it. May the love and prayers of family and friends strengthen and encourage throughout these days.
With love,
Marj & Glen
I remember John Orwen from the days he worked at Time Warner Cable, when he operated the Heart Of The Country computer bulletin board system. It was through this bulletin board that I met him and for a time became his files co-System Operator (SysOp), looking through the computer files that people contributed to this dial-up service he created.
He was a good and kind man. Very intelligent and sharp. There were so many things he would rig up, a gadget fellow. I wish I had stayed in contact with him after that BBS faded in the Internet age.
He will be missed.
Gladys,
I often wondered about John, a fun fellow student all through High School in Beatrice. It is in joy to see he has reached a high level of achievement in the many areas of interest he loved so much as a youth. His life was lived well, with the love and admiration of many.
Wishing you peace and comfort,
Bev Seitz