Orville Nicholas Wellmann passed away on September 15, 2025. He was born on July 13, 1926, to Henry Alois and Frances J. Clemens in Oconto, Nebraska. On October 21, 1948, he married Jean Marie McBride in a double wedding ceremony with his brother Hank and Jean's sister Eleanor in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Together, Orville and Jean were blessed with eleven, ornery, stubborn, Irish-German children, and their family grew to include numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Jean passed away on February 9, 2005.

In 2012, Orville met his special friend Joan Frick, and they spent the next ten years together. After serving a four-year stint in the Navy as a Motor Machinist Mate, 3rd Class, Orville received his GED and worked as a pressman at the Scottsbluff-Star Herald. He later moved to Greeley, Colorado, where he worked at the Greeley Tribune, and then to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he worked at the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Orville retired from there and enjoyed his retirement.

In 2003, Orville moved to Fort Morgan. He was an active member of St. Helena Catholic Church and a life member of VFW Post 2551. Orville loved watching the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Colorado Rockies, and he enjoyed many different sports as he got older. He was also an avid reader of Louis L'Amour, William, and J.A. Johnstone.

Orville was preceded in death by his grandparents, wife, Jean,  parents, brothers Hank and Paul and their wives, his in-laws, son Dan, daughter Gail Brown, grandson Eric Hamburger, granddaughter Mera Brown, great-grandson Ben Pacheco, and sons-in-law Chuck Monte and Doug Harvey.

He is survived by his children: Larry (Jeannie) of Loveland, Steve (Carleen) of Nashville, TN, Penny Monte of Fort Morgan, Carol Harvey of Cookeville, TN, Marcia (John) Hale of Fort Morgan, Janice (Steve) Hamburger of Scottsbluff, NE, Nick (Tammy) of Scottsbluff, NE, Rita (Pat) Claar of Arvada, CO, Glenda (Chad) Stoever of Lebanon, PA, honorary son Ralph Maher of Aurora, CO, and honorary daughter Barb Tuhlski of Westminster, CO. Orville is also survived by 25 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Thursday, October 9th at 5:00 pm at Heer Mortuary in Fort Morgan. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on October 10th at 10:30 am at Saint Helena Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow in Serenity Falls Columbarium.

Those attending are encouraged to wear Purple or Red for Colorado Rockies or Nebraska Corn Huskers.

Those unable to attend may watch the service via the link below:

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc1OTg1MzIzODM4MzYwNCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Wounded Warrior Project or Saint Jude, C/O Heer Mortuary 225 E. Platte Ave., Fort Morgan, CO 80701.