ZEIGLER - Kenneth O'Dell, 88, of Zeigler and formerly of Ina, died Thursday morning, May 7, 2009, in the Fountains in Marion.

He was born Oct. 11, 1920, in West Frankfort, the son of Coy and Madge (Hayse) O'Dell.

He married Adalee (Jones) and she preceded him in death on May 18, 1975.

He married Dorothy Helen Piper on June 6, 1981, and she survives.

Mr. O'Dell was retired from the Missouri Pacific Railroad.

Mr. O'Dell was sergeant in the U.S. Army, serving from Sept. 3, 1942, to Oct. 30, 1945.

Mr. O'Dell is survived by his wife, Dorothy Helen O'Dell, of Zeigler and formerly of Marion; son, Bob O'Dell and wife, Diana, of Anna; two granddaughters, Jadie Thomas and husband, Dave, of Brentwood, Tenn. and Haley Cox and husband, Jeff, of Mount Vernon; two great-granddaughters, Torin and Parker Thomas; stepdaughter, Jean Martin and husband, Dale, of Mulkeytown; stepson, Larry Piper and wife, Jenny, of Belleville; brother-in-law, William Ligon of Ina; step grandchildren, Patrick Piper and wife, Juliana, of Falls Church, Virginia, Stephanie Harrison and husband, Matt, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Sara Vincent and husband, Mike, of Moline, Mandie Bagwell and husband, Jay, of Herrin, Gina Risley and husband, Greg, of Zeigler and Tara Martin of Matteson; nine step-great-grandchildren.

Mr. O'Dell was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Adalee O'Dell; and a sister, Bernella "BEA" Ligon.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2009, at Johnston Funeral Home in Ina, with the Rev. Dale Burzynski officiating. Burial will be at Kirk Cemetery in Ina, with military rites by American Legion Post 141. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Source: The Southern Illinoisan
Date: May 8, 2009