Lawrence T. Orcena, age 87, of Mt. Gilead, OH died Thursday, August 21, 2014 at his home.
He was born in Marion, OH on December 5, 1926 to the late Frank and Blanche (Jenkins) Orcena.
Larry was in the Navy for almost four years. He got out a little early when World War II ended.
After being home about a year he married Lowana “Ronnie” Marshall on April 26, 1947. Together they went to Bible College in Owosso, MI.
When it was time to take their first church, their family had grown with the addition of two children. They left for their first pastorate in the foothills of Cumberland Mountains in Kentucky. The next several pastorates were in Ohio with one in West Virginia. Then it was onto Michigan for the remaining years of his ministry, and building new churches.
He was with the Wesleyan Church for about 40 years when his health broke, and he had to leave the work he cherished. His doctor told him to get away from all mental work and to do nothing but physical labor. This is when he went to the Marion Power Shovel to work for several years. He came out the door from the Shovel one night, and fell in the snow with a severe heart attack, which ended his days of any kind of work. He has been in bad health ever since.
He is survived by son, Lawrence T (Sharon Lucas) Orcena of Akron, OH, daughters, Diana Edwards of Mt. Gilead, OH, and Jackie (Walter) Pelezynski of Eagle Rock, MI, 9 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren; sisters, Carmella McDavid of Franklin Furnace, OH and Helen Orcena of Marion, OH. He is preceded by six brothers, four sisters, and two Grandchildren.
Friends may call Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at Gunder/Hall & Folk Funeral Directors from 10 until 11AM. A Graveside service will follow at Grand Prairie Cemetery at 11:30AM with Rev. Gary Brugger and Rev. Ed Colegrove officiating. Military honors will be conducted by Marion County United Veterans Council. A reception will follow at Edison Enterprise Church, Edison, OH.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.gunderhallandfolk.com.
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