Donald Frank O'Dell

Donald Frank O’Dell, 87 of Gaylord, passed away at home on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, surrounded by his family.

Born in Detroit, Michigan on August 17, 1935, he was the son of Vincent and Helen (Cuthbertson) O’Dell.

After graduating from high school, Don attended the Chrysler Institute where he completed 8000 hours of training and received the Certificate of Machine Repair. 

On September 26, 1959, Don was married to the love of his life, Mary Jane Townsend.

He served in the United States Air Force Reserves during the 1960’s.

Don worked at Chrysler Corporation prior to moving to Gaylord from Mt. Clemens in 1971.  He worked for several years at U.S. Plywood before going to Cooper Standard, retiring in 1999.

Don loved his family and especially enjoyed any opportunity to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  He enjoyed time spent camping, fishing, golfing, and spending time at their Bass Lake cabin.  For several years Don and Mary enjoyed spending winters in Arizona.

He also found time to enjoy umpiring recreational softball in Gaylord, helping with the Johannesburg 4^th of July parade, and being a square dance caller.

Don is survived by Mary, his wife of 63 years; his children, Robin (Christopher) Nowak, Shawn (Jennifer) O’Dell, Michele Stastny, Alan O’Dell,  Renee (Larry) Campbell, and Karen O’Dell; grandchildren, Leanne (Brian) Abel, Valerie (Chris) Riley, Jaqueline (Andrew) Goebel, Ariel O’Dell, Tyler Boring, Evan (Breonna) Boring, Ethan (Danielle) O’Dell, Wade O’Dell, Jeramy Campbell, Trevor (Natasha) Campbell, Kassie (Michael) Pedigo, Jennifer (Luther Rigg) Campbell, and Jessica (Jerry) Vanwulfen; great grandchildren, Bracen, Hadley, Oliver, Finley, Aleksander, Madison, Ryker, Halston, Jules, Gwendolyn, Aurora, Adison, Aspyn, Aiken, Paxtyn, Elliott, Joslin, Eli, and Maeve.  He is also survived by his sister, Ilene Ruhrman; and sisters-in-law, Luci O’Dell and Evelyn O’Dell and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Helen O’Dell; brothers, Lawrence (Carol) O’Dell, Robert O’Dell, Ronald (Diane) O’Dell and Raymond O’Dell; a brother-in-law, Michael Ruhrman and a son-in-law, Kelvin Stastny.

Don’s family will visit with friends from 3:00-7:00 PM Friday, December 30, 2022, at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service, with a time for sharing memories at 6:00PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 31, 2022, at St. Mary Cathedral where visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. 

Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions in Don’s memory to St. Mary Cathedral, Otsego County Food Pantry or Hospice of Michigan, Gaylord.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on Don’s guestbook, below.