Richard E Orwig

Richard E. "Dick" Orwig, 87, long time township trustee and community leader, passed away peacefully at his home 7:10 PM Thursday Aug. 29, 2013 surrounded by his family following a short illness. He was born Sept.21, 1925 in Howland Twp. the son of James and Eleanor (Llewellyn) Orwig. A lifetime Howland resident, Dick graduated from Howland High School in 1943 where he played football and ran track. After high school, he served in the US Army during WW II for three years attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. He was stationed in Iwo Jima, Saipan, and Okinawa. He received the American Theater Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, the Meritorious Unit Award, and the WW II Victory medal. It was during this time that he married the former Gean L (Fisher) in 1944 and together they shared 62 years of marriage until her death in 2006. After returning home, Dick worked at Central Lumber Co. in Niles. In 1954 he started his own business as a cabinetmaker in Howland and continued to operate it until he retired in 2004. He was one of the co-founders of the Howland Athletic Club in 1954 where he was a manager for 5 years, past-president, and lifetime trustee. He was active in the club for 40 years. In 1962, Dick was elected to the Howland Board of Education where he served for 16 years, 12 years as president. In 1978 Dick was elected to the Howland Twp. Board of Trustees and served as trustee for 32 years. He was elected chairman of the trustees more than half of those years. Dick also was a member of the Trumbull County Trustees Assoc. and was chairman of that organization for over 15 years. He also formerly served on the Township Board of Zoning Appeals. Affectionately known as "Mr. Howland", Dick was honored as Howland's first "Man of the Year" and the gazebo park on East Market St. is designated as Richard E. Orwig Park. He was a 64 year member of the American Legion and past president of American Legion Post 700 in Howland, member of the 1st class of the Howland Achievement Hall of Fame, and the SCOPE Society of Honors. Dick was a lifetime member of the Howland Community Church. He will be sadly missed by his children, Rick (Marjorie) Orwig of Delaware, Tom (Carol) Orwig and Patti (Bob) Bixler both of Howland, special friend and companion Jean Christopher-Difford, ten grandchildren; Tina (Sean) Craigo, Tom Orwig, Tim (Vickie) Orwig, Rick (Tracey) Orwig, Rob (Jackie) Orwig, Ron (Jessie) Orwig, Rob (Mellissa) Bixler, Ryan (Bethany) Bixler, Ross and Rachel Bixler. He also leaves 15 great grandchildren; Riley, Reese, Ryan, Reagan, Ridge, Ryder, Robert, Chad, Zack, Owen, and Robbie Orwig, Taylor and Jenna Craigo, Emily and Ben Klaus, and two more expected soon, and numerous nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, wife Gean, a brother James, and 3 sisters Edith Montgomery, Thelma Sloas, and Bernice Rush. Friends will be received from 6-9 PM Saturday Aug.31 at Roberts-Clark Chapel and from 1-2 PM Sunday at the Howland Community Church where the Rev. Dr. Brian Byrne will conduct a funeral service at 2:00 PM followed by military honors. Interment will be in the Howland Twp. Cemetery. The family suggests material contributions be made to the Richard E. Orwig Scholarship to be established at Howland Schools C/O Tom Orwig 2855 Niles Vienna Rd., Niles, OH 44446.