Funeral Directors
 

Obituary index



Paul Odom

Send a link to a friend 

[January 03, 2012]  LINCOLN -- Paul Russell Odom, 89, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, at his home in Lincoln.

(Copy)

Paul Russell Odom was a beloved Christian who deeply loved his family, church, country, and community.  Born on Oct. 27, 1922 to L.A. and Rosalie Russell Odom, he died peacefully on January 1, 2012 surrounded by his family in his Lincoln home where he resided with his only child, Paula, and her husband, Dr. Richard Knopp.

He was married to Katherine Hendrickson for nearly 60 years until her death in 2006.  Survivors include his daughter, Paula (Rich) Knopp; his grandchildren: Nicki (Greg) Green of Bloomington, IL; Katherine (Justin) Young of Springfield, IL; and Andrew Paul (Lindsey) Knopp of Cedar Rapids, IA; and six great grandchildren: Jacob Paul, Gabrielle Rose, and Colton Green; Eleanor Katherine and Lincoln Russell Young; and William Paul Knopp.  He also leaves a sister: Betty (Frank) Steh, and nieces: Rosenell and Dr. Beth Steh (Kevin) Jarvis, of Springfield, IL.

Mr. Odom served as an aircraft mechanic with the Marines in the South Pacific during WWII.  He opened a dry cleaning business in his hometown of Johnston City, IL that became Odom's Men's Wear that he and his wife operated for 33 years.  Mr. Odom was a vice-president of a Johnston City bank and a member and chairman of the Southern Illinois Hospital Services Board of Trustees that had hospitals in Herrin and in Carbondale.

His life reflected a deep love for God and the church.  He was the first preacher for the Western Heights Christian Church in Carbondale; a board member for the Southern Illinois Christian Service Camp; an active participant in the Coal Belt Evangelistic Association; and a college trustee and board chairman for St. Louis Christian College.

Mr. Odom was also the preaching minister at the Plumfield, IL Christian Church near West Frankfort for 17 years and the Shiloh Christian Church near Marion for 13 years.  After moving to Lincoln in 1990, he preached for the San Jose Christian Church for eight years and ministered for the Jolly Seniors at Lincoln Christian Church for almost seven years.  For the last three years, he served as an elder at Lincoln Christian Church.  In 2008, Lincoln Christian University awarded Mr. Odom a Christian Servant's Award for his life's devotion to Christian work.

Visitation for Mr. Odom will be at Lincoln Christian Church from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012.  Funeral service will be at the church at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5, with Dr. Paul Boatman officiating.  He will be buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Johnston City, IL on Jan. 6 at 1:00 p.m. next to his wife, Katherine. Memorial gifts may be given to Lincoln Christian Church.  Holland, Barry, and Bennett Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Click here to send a note of condolence to the Odom family.

Funeral Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know...

...You can send a condolence note to families via email?

Fricke-Calvert-SchraderPeasley and Bennett funeral homes have this option available.

Click on the name of the appropriate funeral home (in the line above) and insert the family name to send a note.

< Obituary index

Back to top


 

News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries

Community | Perspectives | Law & Courts | Leisure Time | Spiritual Life | Health & Fitness | Teen Scene
Calendar | Letters to the Editor