Glenn Dalton O'Dell

Glenn O'Dell was born near Mena, Ark., to Lorn P. O'Dell and Pinkie P. Lindsey O'Dell. He entered into rest at 11:45 p.m., Monday, Feb. 7, 2011, in the Missouri Veteran's Home in Mt. Vernon, Mo., following a long illness. Glenn shared 90 years, 5 months, and 21 days with us.

Mr. O'Dell lived most of his life in and around the Lockwood and Golden City area until July 2006, when he moved to Ava, Mo. He served his country for three years in World War II as a U.S. Navy Seabee 3rd class carpenter's mate. He was a member of the 84th Battalion, Company A. He island hopped from Australia to the Philippines, ending his time on Morati. His unit was usually the first one on the islands clearing, building airstrips, hospitals, docks, etc., for the troops. After receiving his only wound in the head (from a ricocheted bullet) he was called "Lucky" by his men. Prior to his service, he had worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad, the California shipyards -- Todd Cal. Corporation, where he worked on 32 coal burning freighter Victory ships for England and Keizer where he worked on three troop transports. After leaving the service he had been a dairy farmer, the owner of Dudenville grocery store, and eventually opened up his own welding shop where he welded equipment for the local farmers.

He married Alberta Lee Lasater on June 3, 1947. From this union they had three sons and one daughter. He was saved in a revival in 1948 and ordained in 1966. He was a member of the Reeds Baptist Church in Reeds, Mo. Glen had an amazing memory of things that happened years and years ago. He was a caring husband, a proud father and loving grandfather. Glen was always upbeat and was very proud of his garden. He would show it to you and explain all that had happened to it. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alberta; his parents; brother, Wray; three sisters, Delma, Mattie and Lara; and a granddaughter, Ashli O'Dell.

Survivors include three sons, Glenn L. O'Dell and wife, Mary, Williamston, S.C., Randy O'Dell and wife, Becky, Ava, Mo., and Greg O'Dell and wife, Lana, Nevada, Mo.; one daughter, Renee Burton and husband, Brad, Ash Grove, Mo.; 12 grandchildren, Tim O'Dell, Trisha Luben, Scott O'Dell, LeAnn Ray, Toni Buckwalter, Bryan Burton, Alicia Burton, Derek O'Dell, Emily Ricketts, Zack Ricketts, Amanda Young and Andy Young; and 13 great-grandchildren, Larisa, Brock, and Jacob Luben, Katy Beth and Ty O'Dell, Curtis and Nicholas Peake, Kaitlyn and Blaydn Buckwalter, Taylor and Trevor Motyl, Keegan O'Dell and Dalton Ray.

Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 11, from 6 to 7 p.m., in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, Mo. Graveside services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 12, in the Collins Cemetery with military honors, Lockwood, Mo. Officiating will be Chaplain Michael Kanai.

On line condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.