Clarence Eugene “Gene” Odell, 81, of Opdyke, Illinois, passed away at 5:02 pm July 5, 2021, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois.
Gene was a very skilled welder, starting at the young age of thirteen for the Panhandle Eastern pipeline. He later worked for Southern Illinois Concrete. Gene loved to be outside and spent as must time outdoors as possible, whether it be coon hunting, fishing, or camping. He was a member of Howard Chapel Church. Gene was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He will be greatly missed.
A Funeral Service will be held Friday, July 9, 2021, at 10:00 am at the Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens Chapel in Woodlawn, Illinois with Reverend Don Rector officiating. Interment will follow. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
He was born March 10, 1940, in Blairsville, Illinois to the late Clarence Orndolph and Ruth Bernadine (Cocke) Odell. Gene married Relda (Mullins) Odell on June 26, 1965, at Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church in Mount Vernon. They just celebrated their 56th year of marriage.
In addition to his beloved wife, Gene is survived by his children, Tammy Heck and husband, Denny, Michael Odell, Sarah Odell and special friend, Dylan French, and Jonathon Odell, all of Opdyke; sister, Edna “Gerri” Boone of Mount Vernon; grandchildren, Dennis Heck of Mount Vernon, Gilbert Heck and special friend, Tiffany January of Mount Vernon, Brandi Heck of Opdyke, Brent Heck and wife, Danielle of Dix, Illinois, and Tamara Power and special friend, Bobby of Mount Vernon; and several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his daughter, Tonya Leann Miller; and siblings, Mary Jo Staples and Cloyd Irvin Odell.
