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James B. Odle

James B. Odle
James B. Odle, 86, of Tilden, IL, born June 11, 1935 in Tilden, IL, passed away on Friday December 10, 2021 at Sparta Community Hospital in Sparta, IL.ย  Mr. Odle was a retired trooper with the Illinois State Police. He was a member of Tilden United Methodist Church, the Freemasons, the Illinois Police Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Tilden Lions Club and a longtime volunteer for the Tilden Food Pantry.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Loretta M. Odle, nee Watt, whom he married on July 29, 1955 at the Tilden United Methodist Church, and who just passed away on Tuesday December 7, 2021, his parents – Jerval and Olive (Rose) Odle and his brother – William Odle.
James is survived by hisย two sons – James R (Janet) Odle of Brundidge, AL and Jeffrey D (Susan) of Sparta, IL, and two grandchildren – James P. Odle of Brundidge, AL and Katelyn (David) Parkinson of Coulterville, IL.
Memorials may be made to the Tilden United Methodist Church or to the Tilden Scholarship Committee.
Condolences to the family may be expressed online atย www.heilschuessler.com.
Visitation: Visiting hours for James and Loretta will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday December 12, 2021 and from 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday December 13, 2021 at the Tilden United Methodist Church in Tilden, IL.
Funeral: Joint services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday December 13, 2021 at the Tilden Methodist Church in Tilden, IL with Pastor Cody Battefeld and ย Pastor Kimberly Allen officiating.ย  Interment will follow at Tilden Cemetery in Tilden, IL.
Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in Marissa, IL is in charge of arrangements.
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  1. Madaline Hill says:

    Loretta was a great teacher here in Tilden.And Jim I saw at Kathyโ€™s restaurant quite a lot Both were nice people.I will miss them.

  2. Lisa (Reichert) Shemonic says:

    My deepest sympathy, I have so many good memories of your mom n dad growing up in Lenzburg . Thereโ€™s even a story about your dad giving me a very stern warning for speeding one day on my way to work. When I got home my dad already new about it and I got another good talking to. Lol. All because your dad cared about me . Some really good memories , keep those .

  3. Gary and Julie Christofferson says:

    Jim we are so sorry to hear of the Passing of your parents. Prayers for the whole family as you all go through this difficult time.

  4. Eugene Kramer says:

    Very sorry to hear of Sgt Odle and Lorettaโ€™s passing. Knowing them was a privilege and an honor! ISP District 11 was blessed to have such a dedicated officer that gave more than he received and I was honored to be mentored in the importance of ISP communications!
    Sympathy to his family.

    Gene & Pam Kramer

  5. There really are no words to express what Jim and Loretta meant to their family, friends and community. They will be deeply missed by all who knew them. Jim was always busy with his involvement in the Tilden Lions Club, the Tilden Food Pantry and the Tilden Methodist Church. He had breakfast most mornings with his friends at Kathy’s restaurant. He loved his family deeply. He would help anyone in any way that he could. He was a good role model and we should all strive to be more like him. This world will be a much sadder place without Jim & Loretta, though Heaven will be a little brighter.
    Their family has our deepest sympathies. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

  6. David jung says:

    Prayers and deep sympathy to family of Jim and Loretta! David considered Jim a good friend and co worker! May your grief lessen with time.,

    Joanne and David Jung
    Mascoutah, Illinois

  7. Edie Mines says:

    I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of such wonderful people as Jim and Loretta. Loretta was such a sweet and caring lady. I enjoyed seeing her everyday when I worked at the care center. Jim would be there every day to see her, eat with her and kiss her good night. I truly hope to have a love like they had for so many years. Jim was always doing something to help people in need. He looked after my parents and my grandmother and made sure they had food as he did for many other people in town. He used to bring us fish dinners on the weekends from the lions club. He said my dad needed to get some meat on his bones. lol He would help any one that needed it. Its such a sad loss of them both. They will truly be missed by many. My thoughts and prays for everyone that knew them.

  8. Paul wisely Portland texas says:

    So sorry to here the loss of two great people in Tilden got to know then at Bens Diner years ago great people prayers to all the family

  9. Curtis Paul Lawson says:

    The Odles were closely connected to my family. Jeff was a classmate of my sister. Loretta taught school at Tilden with my mother during the 1970s. Loretta at the time lived in Lenzburg and graciously stopped every morning by our house in Marissa every morning to pickup my mother to carpool to Tilden. Naturally they became good friends. The close knit group of school teachers even spent a few times socially outside of school. During our last few weeks of living in Marissa, Jim and Loretta displayed lots of kindness and hospitality to my parents. I am sure they are both sorely missed at pillars in their community of Tilden.

  10. Diana Mattingly says:

    Sympathy and prayers to Jim and Jeff and their famiies

  11. Wilbur Franklin, Jr. says:

    My sympathies to the family. Jim and Loretta will be dearly missed by all. They both were pillars of the community dedicating many hours of work and service to the Tilden area and all in need. You will not find a better couple that served our area as well as they did. They were loved and respected by all. They will be sadly missed.

  12. Larry & Ann A McGuire says:

    My sympathies to the Odle family. Jim was a good person. I knew him when I was a Randolph County deputy sheriff and later through Lions. Your father will be missed.

  13. Cathy Sinn Flowers says:

    Oh Jim and Jeff, how terrible. I cannot imagine your pain. Your dad was such a nice man. Losing both parents just days apart is so sad. It kind of shows how devoted he was to your mom. May Godโ€™s peace be with all of you.

  14. Rosann Amann says:

    Sympathy and prayers to Jim and Jeff and their famiies.

    • Judith &Orville Kempf says:

      Jim and Jeff, Orville and I send our deepest sympathies, Your Parents were 2 of the nicest people we ever met. We wish that we could come to the service but with Just know we are thinking of you. things the way they are We can’t take a chance with Orville.

    • Richard Kohler says:

      Always enjoyed working the shift with Jim. He was very conscientious with his work in District 11. Have many fond memories. Please accept our sympathies
      Rich and Dorothy Kohler

  15. Jim was a gentleman and a wonderful friend, I enjoyed working with him at District #11 State Police Headquarters in Collinsville. I had the opportunity to have many good evenings at our work functions with his wife Loretta, a lovely lady.
    End of watch car # 11-6, our prayers are with you.
    Judy and Terry Zeisset, 11-3, Ret. ISP

  16. Barb and John Sahrhage says:

    Sue and Jeff, sorry to hear of your double loss. Prayers are with you and your whole family

  17. Pamela Sinn Hargan says:

    Jim and Jeff I am deeply sorry to read of your parents death. Thoughts and prayers are with your families during this difficult time. May the Lord embrace you and give you comfort. โœ๏ธ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ
    Myron and Pamela Sinn Hargan

  18. Jim and Jeff, there are simply no words which suffice in a time such as this. Please know that you and your families are in our prayers for Comfort and Peace. Your parents will always be remembered for their kindness, care, faith and for being a class act in all they undertook. We were privileged to share the journey with them along life’s way. God be with you all.

  19. Rosellen Sawh says:

    Jim and Jeff, I am so sorry for the loss of your parents … sending prayers for comfort

    • Lori Schneider says:

      Sincere condolences to you, Jim and Jeff, and to your families.
      Sincerely,
      Lori Mavers Schneider and Lee Kinzel

  20. Kim Sinn says:

    Jim & Jeff and families, I am so sorry for this sudden loss of your Dad. Both of your parents were a joy to be around. Prayers to all of you ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป

  21. I am so sorry for your loss Jim and Jeff. Prayers for comfort and peace

    • Lisa Phelps says:

      Randy and I, would like to express our deepest sympathy to Jim, Jeff, and family, for the loss of your parents. I never met your mother, but I considered your dad as a friend. He was one of the nicest people I know. God bless all of you.

25 Comments

  1. I am so sorry for your loss Jim and Jeff. Prayers for comfort and peace

    Reply
    • Randy and I, would like to express our deepest sympathy to Jim, Jeff, and family, for the loss of your parents. I never met your mother, but I considered your dad as a friend. He was one of the nicest people I know. God bless all of you.

      Reply
  2. Jim & Jeff and families, I am so sorry for this sudden loss of your Dad. Both of your parents were a joy to be around. Prayers to all of you ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป

    Reply
  3. Jim and Jeff, I am so sorry for the loss of your parents … sending prayers for comfort

    Reply
    • Sincere condolences to you, Jim and Jeff, and to your families.
      Sincerely,
      Lori Mavers Schneider and Lee Kinzel

      Reply
  4. Jim and Jeff, there are simply no words which suffice in a time such as this. Please know that you and your families are in our prayers for Comfort and Peace. Your parents will always be remembered for their kindness, care, faith and for being a class act in all they undertook. We were privileged to share the journey with them along life’s way. God be with you all.

    Reply
  5. Jim and Jeff I am deeply sorry to read of your parents death. Thoughts and prayers are with your families during this difficult time. May the Lord embrace you and give you comfort. โœ๏ธ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ
    Myron and Pamela Sinn Hargan

    Reply
  6. Sue and Jeff, sorry to hear of your double loss. Prayers are with you and your whole family

    Reply
  7. Jim was a gentleman and a wonderful friend, I enjoyed working with him at District #11 State Police Headquarters in Collinsville. I had the opportunity to have many good evenings at our work functions with his wife Loretta, a lovely lady.
    End of watch car # 11-6, our prayers are with you.
    Judy and Terry Zeisset, 11-3, Ret. ISP

    Reply
  8. Sympathy and prayers to Jim and Jeff and their famiies.

    Reply
    • Always enjoyed working the shift with Jim. He was very conscientious with his work in District 11. Have many fond memories. Please accept our sympathies
      Rich and Dorothy Kohler

      Reply
    • Jim and Jeff, Orville and I send our deepest sympathies, Your Parents were 2 of the nicest people we ever met. We wish that we could come to the service but with Just know we are thinking of you. things the way they are We can’t take a chance with Orville.

      Reply
  9. Oh Jim and Jeff, how terrible. I cannot imagine your pain. Your dad was such a nice man. Losing both parents just days apart is so sad. It kind of shows how devoted he was to your mom. May Godโ€™s peace be with all of you.

    Reply
  10. My sympathies to the Odle family. Jim was a good person. I knew him when I was a Randolph County deputy sheriff and later through Lions. Your father will be missed.

    Reply
  11. My sympathies to the family. Jim and Loretta will be dearly missed by all. They both were pillars of the community dedicating many hours of work and service to the Tilden area and all in need. You will not find a better couple that served our area as well as they did. They were loved and respected by all. They will be sadly missed.

    Reply
  12. Sympathy and prayers to Jim and Jeff and their famiies

    Reply
  13. The Odles were closely connected to my family. Jeff was a classmate of my sister. Loretta taught school at Tilden with my mother during the 1970s. Loretta at the time lived in Lenzburg and graciously stopped every morning by our house in Marissa every morning to pickup my mother to carpool to Tilden. Naturally they became good friends. The close knit group of school teachers even spent a few times socially outside of school. During our last few weeks of living in Marissa, Jim and Loretta displayed lots of kindness and hospitality to my parents. I am sure they are both sorely missed at pillars in their community of Tilden.

    Reply
  14. So sorry to here the loss of two great people in Tilden got to know then at Bens Diner years ago great people prayers to all the family

    Reply
  15. I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of such wonderful people as Jim and Loretta. Loretta was such a sweet and caring lady. I enjoyed seeing her everyday when I worked at the care center. Jim would be there every day to see her, eat with her and kiss her good night. I truly hope to have a love like they had for so many years. Jim was always doing something to help people in need. He looked after my parents and my grandmother and made sure they had food as he did for many other people in town. He used to bring us fish dinners on the weekends from the lions club. He said my dad needed to get some meat on his bones. lol He would help any one that needed it. Its such a sad loss of them both. They will truly be missed by many. My thoughts and prays for everyone that knew them.

    Reply
  16. Prayers and deep sympathy to family of Jim and Loretta! David considered Jim a good friend and co worker! May your grief lessen with time.,

    Joanne and David Jung
    Mascoutah, Illinois

    Reply
  17. There really are no words to express what Jim and Loretta meant to their family, friends and community. They will be deeply missed by all who knew them. Jim was always busy with his involvement in the Tilden Lions Club, the Tilden Food Pantry and the Tilden Methodist Church. He had breakfast most mornings with his friends at Kathy’s restaurant. He loved his family deeply. He would help anyone in any way that he could. He was a good role model and we should all strive to be more like him. This world will be a much sadder place without Jim & Loretta, though Heaven will be a little brighter.
    Their family has our deepest sympathies. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
  18. Very sorry to hear of Sgt Odle and Lorettaโ€™s passing. Knowing them was a privilege and an honor! ISP District 11 was blessed to have such a dedicated officer that gave more than he received and I was honored to be mentored in the importance of ISP communications!
    Sympathy to his family.

    Gene & Pam Kramer

    Reply
  19. Jim we are so sorry to hear of the Passing of your parents. Prayers for the whole family as you all go through this difficult time.

    Reply
  20. My deepest sympathy, I have so many good memories of your mom n dad growing up in Lenzburg . Thereโ€™s even a story about your dad giving me a very stern warning for speeding one day on my way to work. When I got home my dad already new about it and I got another good talking to. Lol. All because your dad cared about me . Some really good memories , keep those .

    Reply
  21. Loretta was a great teacher here in Tilden.And Jim I saw at Kathyโ€™s restaurant quite a lot Both were nice people.I will miss them.

    Reply

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