Joe E. O'Dell (81) of Neoga

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Published on March 25 2019 4:10 pm

Joe E. O'Dell, 81, of Neoga died at 12:22am Monday, March 25, 2019 in the Mattoon Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Mattoon.

He was born September 10, 1937, in Mattoon, Illinois, the son of William Riley "Blondie" and Juanita (Baker) O'Dell. He married Julia "Judy" Swengel on September 1, 1956 in Mattoon, Illinois.  Joe graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago in 1959 and became a partner with Dean Swengel in the Swengel Funeral Home of Neoga, which was then renamed the Swengel - O'Dell Funeral Home.   He became the owner/operator after Dean's retirement and was semi-retired himself in recent years. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Neoga, Illinois, the Corn Belt Shrine Club of Mattoon, a  Life Member of the Neoga Masonic Lodge # 279,  the Toledo Masonic Lodge #834, and a 50 year member of the Valley of Danville Consistory. He was a 60 year member of The Illinois Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association.

He leaves his wife, Judy O'Dell of Neoga; Sons, William O'Dell (Lisa) of Neoga and Tim O'Dell (Carol) of Neoga; eight grandchildren, John O'Dell (Shawna) of Toledo, Wayne O'Dell (Darlene) of Toledo, Susan Hartman (Josh) of Windsor, Pat O'Dell (Katie) of  Windsor, Andrea Schweska (Cully) of Mahomet, Eric O'Dell (Heather) of Neoga, Ross O'Dell (Chrissy) of Bethany and Katy Oakley (Ben) of Freeburg; eighteen great-grandchildren, Brother, David O'Dell (Judy) of Neoga; and several nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his Parents; three Brothers, Thomas "Cork" O'Dell, Robert O'Dell and Danny O'Dell;  and one Granddaughter, Candis O'Dell.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, March 29 in the Swengel - O'Dell Funeral Home of Neoga, with Rev. Richard Coen officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Thursday and one hour before the services at the funeral home.

 

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