A funeral service for Donna J. Orben, 83 of Newark will be held Monday March 28, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, 88 N. Fifth Street with Rev. Barbara Wood Salyers officiating. Visitation will be observed at the church from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Mrs. Orben passed away on Wednesday March 23, 2022 at the Selma Markowitz Care Center operated by Hospice of Central Ohio. She was born September 24, 1938 in Youngstown, OH to John W. and Cecile (Burr) Houck, Sr.

Donna retired after 18 years at the Lazarus Department Store in the Indian Mound Mall in 2003. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Candlelighters group. She was an active volunteer at the Red Cross serving as the First Aid Chairperson and teaching CPR. She was also a member of the Heath Moundbuilders Kiwanis Club. She was active in Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs with her children. She was an avid OSU sports fan and loved her pets, especially Angel.

Survivors include her son, Michael A. Orben of PA; daughter, Lynnette M. Smith of GA; brother, Charles Houck of Poland, OH; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, John F. Orben, Jr. in 2016; brothers, John W. Houck, Jr. and Donald A. Houck.

The family request memorials to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 729, Newark, OH 43058-0729 or Hospice of Central Ohio, Attn: Philanthropic Development, 2269 Cherry Valley Road, Newark, OH 43055-9323.