CHRISTOPHER - James E. O'Dell Sr., 95, of Alton, formerly of Christopher and Ottawa, died Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Rosewood Care in Alton. He was born Feb. 8, 1918, in Mulkeytown, to Jack O'Dell and Rosa (Carter) O'Dell. He was retired from Libby Owens Ford in Ottawa as a maintenance foreman. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Ottawa and a 32nd degree mason. He was a 55 year member of Benton Masonic Lodge and Ottawa Shriners. He was a Boy Scout leader and received the Silver Beaver award, and was a founding member of the Ottawa Rescue Squad. He was also a past member of Ottawa moose lodge. James was an avid fisherman, bowler, and golfer and loved his St. Louis Cardinals. He was married to Marie C. (Baker) O'Dell. Survivors include his children, James O'Dell of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Lanita Sims of Elsah; grandchildren, Leah and Jimmie Kuehnel of Grafton, Matt and Gina Sims of Swansee; great-grandchildren, Jeff Sims, Phoenix Sims, Thomas Kuehnel and Alexander Kuehnel. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Brown and Ruby Eickelman; two brothers, Ernie and Denzil O'Dell; parents; and his wife. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday March 19, in Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Interment will be at the Masonic and IOOF Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to donor's favorite charity. For more information visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on March 18, 2013