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In memory of

Benjamin A. Awana Jr.

Brownsburg, IN, USA

December 22, 1965 - June 15, 2019

Dec 22, 1965 - Jun 15, 2019

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Benjamin A. Awana Jr., (fondly known as “Benji”, “Ben”, or “Baba”) age 53, of Brownsburg, Indiana passed away at his home on Saturday, June 15, 2019 after an aggressive battle with gastric cancer. Although his time on Earth was short, he left a legacy of a lifetime.

The oldest of four children, Ben grew up in Nanakuli, HI. He spent most of his childhood getting into constructive (and sometimes not so constructive) mischief - experimenting, adventuring, and exploring possibilities. Upon discovering his love of airplanes, Ben pursued college after graduating from Nanakuli High School and started his long-term career in aviation. During this time, Ben found and married the love of his life and moved with her to California and then onto Indiana with she and their children.

Ben was a devoted selfless servant to his community. He kept constantly busy, but never too busy to help a friend. Whenever someone was in need or had an issue, he would find a solution to the problem at hand no matter how many times an idea would fail - going through plan A, B, C, or further if need be (though perhaps not in that order). He helped countless people with fixing anything from air-conditioners to lawnmowers and made a lasting impression on all who knew him, holding a special place in the hearts of even the surliest of people.

Ben had many friends but committed his life first and foremost to his family, even in his last days asking others to “pray for my family, then me.” Though he filled his spare time with all things machine, nothing could take him away from laying down a project to spend time with his grandchildren, children, and most especially, his wife, Jill. Ben was cherished by his family and greatly admired by his children who even through adulthood gazed upon their strong and gentle leader with awe.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Jill Awana, his children, Faith (Tim) Branch, Melia (Cole) Smith, and Benjamin K. Awana, along with those he called "his whole world," his grandchildren, Loea, Roman, Chloe, and two additional grandchildren happily awaiting their entrance to the world. Ben is also survived by his siblings Travis (Sue), Alan, and Kiilani along with his caring parents, Benjamin Sr. and Maessie Awana.

The funeral service and Mass, officiated by Fr. Sean Danda, will be held at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Brownsburg, IN on June 27, 2019 at 11:00am EST. A reception at the church will immediately follow. Ben will be taken back home to Hawaii to be laid to rest.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Ben’s name to Hawaii Foodbank as charities supporting the relief of childhood hunger and nutrition were so close to his heart. http://www.hawaiifoodbank.org/

While we will all miss him unceasingly, as my daughter, Loea, tells me “He will always be in our hearts.” We shall keep him there until we are reunited. As Dad asked us to say to you “Aloha Oe, a hui hou kākou ” ("farewell, until we meet again").

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