Donald A. Widen, Col Ret. USAF

A Beloved husband, Loving Father and Loyal Friend.

Don was born on Aug 28, 1938 in Bowling Green, OH, and died peacefully on Sat., Nov 4, 2006.

He graduated from Bowling Green State University, was commissioned in the Air Force as a second lieutenant, and attended MIT, where he earned two Masters Degrees, one in Meteorology and one Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Don served in the Air Force for 23 years beginning as a Staff Meteorologist and retiring as a Colonel after serving on the Inspector General's team in 1983. He served at Andrews Air Force Base, Space & Missile Systems in El Segundo, CA, Hanscom Air Force Base, as well as Incirlik, Turkey and Vietnam. He was a Vietnam Veteran who received numerous medals and commendations including Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medal. After Don retired from the Air Force, he joined Hughes Aircraft Company as a Project Manager and Business Manager from 1983 to 1999.

Don was a kind, strong, smart, humble man. He was dearly loved by many and will be greatly missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.

He is survived by his cherished wife of 43 years, Marilyn; beloved son, Michael; loving daughter, Kim; lovely daughter-in-law, Andrea; adorable grandchildren, Bethany and Spencer Widen of Mission Viejo, CA; beloved sisters, Sharon Kay Long of South Carolina and Patricia Ann Shaw of Ohio; beloved sisters-in-law, Connie Bass and Beverly Welsh of MA; beloved brothers-in-law, Carl Shaw, Robert Bass, and David Welsh, and many devoted nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, November. 9, 2006 ~ 10:00 A.M. at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, 26001 Muirlands Blvd., Mission Viejo, CA with an interment at Pacific View Memorial Park in the Veteran's section, in Corona Del Mar, CA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Don's memory may be made to CHOC Foundation for Children at 455 S. Main St., Orange, CA 92868-3874 714 997-3000.