John O’Dell

John O’Dell, 88, of Salem, Illinois, died Friday, February 16, 2018, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center in Van Wert, surrounded by family.

He was born November 16, 1929, in Centralia, Illinois, the son of Ezra Lee O’Dell and Mable Kathryn (Phipps) O’Dell, who both preceded him in death. He married Noreta Joan Daughtery on February 17, 1951, in Centralia, and she also preceded him in death.

John was the retired minister at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salem, Illinois.

He attended Centralia Township High School where he graduated in 1947. During high school, he played the trumpet in the concert and marching band. After high school, John worked for Huggins Grocery Store, Kas Potato Chip, and Hollywood Brands candy company. He graduated from McKendree College in 1967, Dayton Theological Seminary in 1971, and became an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church in 1973. He served as a minister in the United Methodist Church for over 50 years.

Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Miller of Grover Hill and Cindy Nash and husband, Keith, of Palestine, Illinois; two sons, John O’Dell Jr. and wife, Penny, of Lima, and Timothy O’Dell and wife, Beth, of Vincennes, Indiana; five grandchildren, Lisa Speith and husband Christopher of Van Wert, Diana Tomlinson and husband Jon of Van Wert, Melissa Fishburn and husband Steve of Indianapolis, Indiana, Blake Nash of Palestine, Illinois, and Stephanie Wukusick and husband Tommy of Lima; seven great-grandchildren, Taylor Tomlinson, Zachary Tomlinson, Kenadie Speith, Haley Speith, Parker Speith, Mason Speith, and Hank Wukusick; and one great-great grandson, Carter Bochard.

A son-in-law, Rick Miller, also preceded him in death.

Funeral services for John O’Dell will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 24, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salem, Illinois, with Terri Haas presiding. Burial will be in Paradise Cemetery in Salem. Visitation will be from five to seven at the Rogers-Atkins Funeral Home in Salem, Illinois.

Preferred memorials: Trinity United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society and can be left at the funeral home.