Ronald Dean O’Dell of Roscoe, Illinois passed away on Sunday, October 25 at the age of 87. He was born on April 28, 1939, in Owen, Wisconsin. He was the 7th of 10 children born to Harold and Ethel O’Dell. The family moved to Roscoe when Ron was 3 years old. He attended Kinnikinnick Grade School and Hononegah High School where he played football and basketball.
Ron married Darlene Swenson on October 24, 1959. They had three children: son, Robin, and daughters, Kathryn and Pamela. Ron worked at Elco Industries in Rockford for 41 years until retiring in 1998. During those years, he played for the Elco RIAA softball and basketball teams.
He was an avid supporter of Hononegah High School attending sporting events of every kind. He loved watching the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Bulls. He also enjoyed traveling, especially his yearly fishing and camping trip in the wilderness of the Quetico in Canada. Most of all, he cherished spending time with his children and 7 grandchildren in Arizona and Colorado. He loved cheering for his grandkids at their sporting events and activities.
He is preceded in death by his parents as well as 8 of his nine siblings. Ron leaves behind his beloved wife of 67 years, Darlene O’Dell; brother, Kenneth O’Dell; son, Robin O’Dell, daughter Kathryn Ortega, daughter Pamela Miller, sons-in-law Stephen Miller and Danny Ortega, daughter-in-law Tamara O’Dell and grandchildren: Ashley O’Dell, Amanda O’Dell, Cassie Ortega, Carly Ortega, Kathleen Miller, Patrick Miller and wife Natalie Miller, and Aidan Miller.
He was a great son, brother, husband, father, grandpa, uncle, and friend to countless people who he met along life’s journey. He will be greatly missed.
We invite family and friends to attend a Visitation with the family on Thursday, November 5 from 6:00-8:00 pm and a Funeral Service on Friday, November 6 at 11:00 am. Both events will be held at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 North Alpine Road, Machesney Park, IL.
