Albert Merlin O'Dell

Albert Merlin O'Dell, age 85, resident of rural Fort Scott, died Saturday evening, Sept. 29, at his home. He was born March 22, 1927, in Arcadia, Kan., the son of Albert Milton O'Dell and Anna Mable Carpenter O'Dell. He worked most of his life as a farmer and rancher. He also worked as a carpenter, building and remodeling houses. He married Jean McKinnis Smith on March 20, 1976, in Uniontown. His true passion was working with cattle, which he enjoyed over the last 20 years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He liked to visit and tell stories with neighbors. Merlin was always helping someone, often providing friends with produce from his garden. He was gifted with the ability to provide sound advice to those who asked.

He loved being together with his family. He loved life and lived it to the fullest, giving his all whether at work or play. He was a longtime member of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown, where he served as deacon, trustee, and various other capacities through the years.

Survivors include his wife Jean of the home; a daughter, Regina Woodworth and husband Tom, Iola, Kan.; two sons, John O'Dell and wife Roberta, Fort Scott, Kan., and Nickey O'Dell and wife Kathy, Hiattville, Kan.; a stepson, Jerry Smith, Fort Scott; and a brother, Raymond Dean O'Dell, Redfield, Kan. Also surviving are fourteen grandchildren, Tracy Brown and husband Rick, Iberia, Missouri, Brian Bailey and wife Jennie, West Des Moines, Iowa, Brian Woodworth and wife Lisa, St. George, Kansas, Tracy Woodworth, Wichita, Kansas, Amy Barrie and husband Matt, Mulhall, Okla., Bret O'Dell, Joplin, Mo., Amy Nichols and husband Ben, Olathe, Kan., Jeff Beckwith, Fort Scott, Audett Davis and husband Wes, Fort Scott, Lacy Nutter and husband Jason, Fort Scott, Tanner O'Dell, Fort Scott, Jessica Ripper and husband Dallas, Frontenac, Kan., Jaime Shelton, Frontenac, and Jeremy Shelton, Mo.; and 15 great-grandchildren; as well as nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Audrey Wise, Pearl Kellogg, and Naomi Wise; a cousin, George Carpenter; as well as his parents.

Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct funeral services at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown. Burial will follow in Uniontown cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the First Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.

Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.