Danny O'Dell

Danny O’Dell, 76, a lifetime McPherson, KS resident, peacefully entered into his heavenly home in the early morning hours on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at McPherson Hospital. 

Robert Danny O’Dell was born on August 3, 1947, in McPherson, KS, the son of Ivan Luther and Grace Bertagene “Jean” (Rife) O’Dell.  He graduated from McPherson High School in 1965.  Danny attended Central College from 1965 to 1968 and McPherson College from 1968 to 1973, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree.  On June 4, 1972, Danny was united in marriage to Janet S. “Jan” Rolander in McPherson.  They were married over 41 years prior to Jan’s passing on November 22, 2014.

Danny owned and operated O’Dell’s Laundry.  He started working there as a teenager, riding in and driving a truck. He sold O’Dell’s Laundry on June 30, 2013.

Danny was very active in the Scouting program.  He joined Cub Scouts in September of 1955.  He went through the ranks from Cubbing to the Arrow of Light rank, the highest achievement of Cub Scouting, and joined Troop 117 as a Boy Scout in the fall of 1958.  He went through the required Boy Scout ranks to Eagle Scout, which is the highest achievement attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America. He completed the Eagle Scout Service project in July of 1965.  He also earned an additional award above the Eagle rank, the Bronze Palm.  He was also selected to be a member of Order of the Arrow, and within this organization, he was nominated and elected for the Vigil Honor.  In adulthood, he continued to be active by being a Lifesaving Merit Badge counselor and assistant Scout leader for Webelos.

On July 10, 2008, Danny was involved in a car wreck, losing mobility.  Over the years, he has overcome many obstacles due to the wreck.  In that same year, he lost his right eye due to cancer.

Danny was a former member of McPherson Free Methodist Church and current member of First United Methodist Church.  Since 2015, he has volunteered at First United Methodist Church, making sure the building’s needs were met.  For example, he would make sure the doors were locked.  Since June 1, 2018, he was put in charge of all the building operations, becoming the Facilities Administrator.

Danny is survived by his brother, David (Evy) O’Dell of McPherson, KS; children, Timothy (Heather) O’Dell of Minneapolis, MN, Will O’Dell of Topeka, KS, and Sheila O’Dell of Kansas City, KS; two nieces, Crystal Clobes and children, Acacia and Adie, and Rozalynn (Ken) Frey and children, Lilly, Cooper, Carter, and Caris; special friends, Gene & Sheryl Railsback and their daughters, Juli and Gina; Royal & Kimber Mellinger and their children, Doralynn & Nickolas; Renee Nilson and her children, Katherine (Jordan) Howard and Connor Nilson; and Brian & Sheila Billings and their children, Anastasia and Xavier; numerous grandchildren; and the ContinuCare staff, Sandy Hopp Edwards, Sherri Horun, Cinda Sue Rogers, Tammi Walker, and Cici Alstatt.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan & Jean O’Dell; wife, Jan O’Dell; and sister-in-law, Jaymie O’Dell.

A graveside service will be held at 9:30 AM, Thursday, October 26, 2023, at Lyons Municipal Cemetery followed by a celebration of life service at 11:00 AM, Thursday, at First United Methodist Church, McPherson.  To view a live stream broadcast of the service, please click on the following link: https://mcphersonfumc.com/worship/

Memorial donations can be made to Circles of McPherson County, First United Methodist Church (for scholarships for summer camp), or Boy Scouts of America Troop 117 in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.