Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. Ken and I didn't realize Claire was the same age as Ken.  Ken followed him at Fairfield.  We know the people loved him.
Ken & Gayle Royar

Clair, was our interim pastor for about four years and I was the board chair at Cedar Memorial at that time. There is nothing you can say about Clair that doesn't describe his love for his Savior Jesus Christ. He preached the Words of Jesus straight and true. He was paid it is true but he returned more than he received.

His presence taught us “It is a beautiful day in Maquoketa!”  “ Hold your head high and keep your feet dry God loves you and so do I!”  Rest in peace our good friend.

Phil, Nancy, Megan and Mike Tabor

Pastor Claire’s time at our Maquoketa Methodist Church was too short. Our family enjoyed his enthusiastic sermons and his sense of humor. He even did a small service for our daughter’s hampster that died.  We want to express our sympathy to his family.  Cherish the memories 
Aaron and Sherri James

My deepest sympathy to Pastor Clair's family,
We, the First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa, had the privilege of being led by his devout belief in our Lord.  He was an inspiration to all and loved by many.  His sermons were inspiring and his sense of humor allowed us to see a great man.  May God be with you all during what is a difficult time.  Rest assured he is in God's loving arms.  Well done o good and faithful servant.
Wendy Scott
Maquoketa

Clair and Dwight Garrington (Our families have been friends since Marshalltown in the 60s.)  The baptism of Dwight's Granddaughter Amy at Christ Church in Davenport.   Amy's parents, Steve & Linda were loyal member of the congregation and loved having them over for a friendly game of cards.  Clair bid rather wild and always seemed to make the bid.  Later Steve helped move them into Ridgecrest village and visited them there.

I got to know Clair through Christ Church Card Club. He loved to play and was a very aggressive bidder! I also had the privilege of hearing him preach at our church as a guest minister and a little in his ministry at a small West end church that had after school reading programs and Saturday activities for kids.  He was a good man, full of faith and chock full of wisdom.

Claire was a good kind honest person that will always be special person to me

Clair and Alice and Leanne and I were best friends in college, seminary, and ministry.  three times we served appointments within a few miles of each other.  Our kids played together, we camped together, and Clair's last appointment was where I had just served.  His ministry met many special needs in a wide variety of church situations.  he was a "quick wit" with very appropriate comments in stressful situations, even to the level of one Annual Conference when he was Chairman of the Board of Trustees.  Would that there could be many more men and women of faith develop into a capacity of pastoral leadership to serve as he served. 
Alice and family, may you be comforted and blest knowing that our Lord has welcomed Clair "into the joys of His master".  
  Blessings In Christ!     L.J. & Leanne Hartley

Alice, Susan and I were very sad to receive the news of Clair's dying. Our prayers for healing and comfort will continue for yhou as you go through the days ahead. Please let your children know that they are in our prayers also. God bless you.Wayne

Clair served our church and I remember him fondly, loving listen to all his records and love to cook and make fried potatoes! May he rest in peace! My sympathy to Alice and the family! Sheila Bentley

He was our Pastor at Cedar Memorial church. We all loved him dearly. Our youth group kids thought he was great.  One Easter he was wearing his white robes and a like boy next to me said”Pastor has a rally cool karate outfit.” After service I told him he thought it was very funny.  He did the blessing of the bikes for me a couple times and my friend thought he was great. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

OBITUARY

Clair Dean Odell

June 16, 1936 – June 15, 2025

Weerts Funeral Home

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