Melvin Ray O'Dell

Ray O'Dell, 76, of Millersville, passed away Sunday, February 13, 2022, at his residence.

Ray was born September 21, 1945, to Manuel and Josephine (Fiscus) O'Dell in Ironton, Missouri.

Ray was inducted into the United States Army, November 2, 1965, and was honorably discharged October 23, 1967.

Ray was a night shift supervisor for Lenco for over 17 years. He worked for Advance Security at P&G for 5 ½ years and Dana Corporation for 3 ½ years. He worked the remainder of his career, eight years, at Nordenia, where he retired at 60 years old.

Ray was a member of the Caney Fork Baptist Church. He was a 1963 graduate of Jackson High School. He was an avid coin collector and a fan of the NFL, with his favorite teams being the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He enjoyed camping, and his favorite spot was the "Old House" in Marquand. Ray enjoyed cigars, sweet tea, and no one made homemade chili like he did. He had three loyal dogs, of which he loved dearly, Bobo, Brazil and Stripe.

Ray is survived by two sons, Jon (fiancé Karen) O'Dell of Sikeston, and Jeff (Erica) O'Dell of Jackson; two sisters, Sonya O'Dell of Marble Hill and Francis (Mike) Campbell of Millersville; and former wife, Pauline O'Dell of Patton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Joseph O'Dell; and a sister Ella Rose O'Dell.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 18, 2022, from 10 AM until time of service at McCombs Funeral Home & Cremation Center. Funeral service will be at noon at the funeral home with Rev. Bob Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in the Caney Fork Baptist Church Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri. Online condolences may be made to the family by clicking on Ray's obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com