Odell, Frank H. (1921-2006)

ODELL, HEILMAN, GREENE, BADGER, YOUNGBERG, MCKEOWN, KAUFFMAN, TAYLOR, CORLETT, LINKENBACK, BRECHLER, WALKUP

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 3/19/2010 at 23:26:39

Frank H. Odell - Jan. 30, 1921 - Mar. 6, 2006

Frank H. Odell, age 85, of Albert City, Iowa, died Monday, March 6, 2006, at the Pleasant View Nursing Home in Albert City.

Frank Heilman Odell was born on January 30, 1921, in Posey, Illinois. He celebrated his 85th birthday at home with his family. That was the last time he spent in their home. He was the son of Frank I. and Helen Heilman Odell and had two sisters, Helen (John) Greene and Mary (Stillman) Badger and one brother, Joe, all preceded him in death.

Frank graduated from Cannelton, Indiana, High School in 1939. After graduating from high school, he worked in New York City. He joined the Merchant Marines in 1943 and traveled to many ports around the world. He joined the U.S. Army in July 1944. During his service in World War II, while on active duty in the Philippine Islands, he was wounded on March 28, 1945, and carried shrapnel in his body for the rest of his life. He was awarded a purple heart by the U.S. Government. He received his honorable discharge from the army at Tourney General Hospital, Palm Springs, California, where he had been hospitalized for two months. After receiving his U.S. Army discharge July 28, 1945, he enrolled at Indiana University where he earned his B.S. degree in 1952 and his M.S. degree in 1959. He taught elementary school for a number of years in Indiana and Illinois. After retiring from teaching, he worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad until he retired in 1986.

He married Vivadelle Youngberg on August 13, 1966, at North Park Covenant Church, Chicago, Illinois. They lived in Chicago until 1988 when they moved to the rural area of Pocahontas. In 2000, they moved to their home in Albert City.

Frank was a willing worker in the Methodist Church; if it was teaching, serving on a church board, ushering, watering flowers or folding bulletins. After he married and joined the Covenant Church in Chicago, then in Albert City, he continued to serve God in many ways. He volunteered to work for Habitat for Humanity in Chicago. He joked about working with President Jimmy Carter and had a photograph to prove it. He was an active member of the American Legion and the Albert City Lions and tried to help these organizations in any way he could.

Frank was an avid reader and a student of whatever he was interested in. After his eyesight began to fail, Talking Books became a valuable part of his time. Whether it was world events, the Stock Market, trees and fruits or vegetables, he had an insatiable search for knowledge. Every spring, he planted numerous flowers and vegetables and generously shared his produce. He enjoyed people and had a genuine concern for all he knew. Whether it was being in a costume at Halloween or being a helper for Santa Claus, he thoroughly appreciated his time spent with children.

He is survived by his wife, Vivadelle; his sister-in-law Mary Odell McKeown of Illinois; nephews: Dan (Ruth) Odell of Colorado, John (Judy) Greene V of California, Lee (Judy) Badger of Michigan; nieces: Karen (Odell) Kauffman of Florida, Shirley (Odell) Taylor of Illinois, Patti (Greene) and Dick Corlett of Colorado, Jan (Badger) and Ron Linkenback of Illinois and their families. He is further survived by his brother and sister-in-law Arlyn and Lenore Youngberg of Albert City and their family: Mark and Karin Youngberg of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Brian and Alena Youngberg of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Corrin and Ron Brechler of Laurens, Sheldon and Marianne Youngberg of Pocahontas and Sharon and Brad Walkup of Des Moines and their families; as well as numerous other friends and relatives.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 10, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Albert City, Iowa, with Pastor Gavin Ellis officiating. Burial will be in the Fairfield Township Cemetery in Albert City. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 9, 2006, at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City from 4:00-8:00 p.m. The family will be present to greet friends from 6-8:00 p.m.

Copyright © 2006, Sliefert Funeral Homes

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