Odie Lee Farris, Jr.

Odie L. Farris, Jr., age 91, passed away at 8:20 a.m. on Monday, April 8, 2013 at St. John's Hospital. He was born July 21, 1921 in High Hill, MO, the son of Amanda and Odie L. Farris, Sr. Odie graduated from Mt. Vernon High School and attended Southern Illinois University. He served in WWII and retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 27 years. He was the President of Illinois Police and Fire Commission and was a member of Mt. Vernon Police and Fire Commission. Odie was an avid golfer. Odie married Maxine Chapman. Seven children were born to this union. He later married Annette Thomason Rose on May 12, 1989 in St. Louis, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Francis Bryant. He is survived by his wife, Annette; seven children, Odie Lee Farris, III, Robert Farris, Michael Farris, all of Mt. Vernon, Shirilyn (husband, Cleo) Holt of Mt. Vernon, Gary Farris of Centralia, Brenda (husband, Dennis) Collins of Freeport, and Colleena Farris of Colorardo Springs, CO; and three step-children, Theodore W. (wife, Carolyn) Rose of Springfield, Karen (husband, Elvis) Wesson of Independence, MO, and Cynthia (husband, Darryl) Jones of Springfield; ten grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, with Pastor Paul W. Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.