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- Robert "Bob" William Odell, 87, of Albion, IL formerly of Flora, died at 6:30 AM on Sunday, November 18, 2012 at his home in Albion.
Bob was born on June 23, 1925 in Flora to Hugh E. and Vera (Winchester) O'Dell. He married Betty L. Lee on September 18, 1946 in Morganfield, KY. She preceded him in death on August 5, 1997. He later married Charlene L. (Gaston) Meserole on June 30, 1999 in Branson, MO.
Bob was Gas Superintendent for over 30 years for the City of Flora and also operated a fire extinguisher business. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy as a radio operator.
On April 4, 1960, Bob joined the Flora Volunteer Fire Department and for the next 27 years he served the department in several capacities. He was elected Assistant Chief on January 5, 1970 and two years later on January 3, 1972 was elected and served as Chief until his resignation on January 22, 1979. Bob remained on the department and served as an operations officer from February 1981 until his retirement from the department on January 1, 1987.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Flora and had more recently had been attending the Golden Gate United Methodist Church in Golden Gate, IL where he played the guitar, organ, and was a pastoral assistant. Playing by ear, Bob enjoyed music and played several instruments including the guitar, bass guitar, piano, organ and keyboards. He was a fan of both country and gospel music.
He also enjoyed traveling and wintering in Texas every year where he participated in nearby music jams. He also found time to enjoy photography, scrapbooking, computers, and oil painting. But most of all, Bob loved his family.
He is survived by his wife: Charlene Odell; son: Bill (Jane) O'Dell; step-children: Charles Meserole, Shirley (Jack) Metcalf, Scott (Lacey) Meserole, Bill Meserole; sister: Mary Jane (Tom) Hill; grandchildren: Rory (Kaci) O'Dell, Mina O'Dell-Wood; step-grandchildren: Lindy, Jacob, Ally and Molly, also Sawyer and Callie Meserole, Justin (Rachel) Howard, along with other step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews who also survive. Bob also leaves many friends including his lifelong friend, Sam Howell.
The funeral service for Bob Odell was held at the Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.
Burial was in Elmwood Cemetery, Flora, with full military honors.
The family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Flora Volunteer Fire Department and will be received at the funeral home.
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1926 - 2012 (86 years)
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