Merlin Tilmon O’Dell, 95, of Winchester, VA, went to be with the Lord on December
1, 2023. He was born on June 14, 1928, in Decatur, Illinois, to the late Lucille
Syfert O’Dell and Tilmon B. O’Dell.

Merlin enjoyed working at the Decatur Signal Depot, troubleshooting
communications equipment for the U.S. Army. In 1961, he was transferred to
Winchester, Virginia, where he assumed a federal job for the Department of Army
and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Merlin cherished spending time with his loved ones. He enjoyed traveling to places
near and far. Music brought him great joy throughout his life. He loved singing and
playing songs and hymns on the piano, and always carried a song in his heart.

He will be dearly missed by his wife of 75 years, Betty Lou O’Dell, and their
children: Bonnie Hudson (Donald) of Winchester VA, Sheilah Kotulski (Joseph) of
Albuquerque NM, and John O’Dell (Kimberly) of Thomson GA. Merlin was a loving
grandfather to Matthew Hudson (Ashley), Jillian Kotulski, Erin Lockhart (Bryan),
and Joshua Kotulski. He also had the joy of being Great Grandpa to Ethan and
Owen Hudson, Emory, Asher, Maxwell, and Harlow Lockhart.
Merlin is survived by his sister, Patsy Hamilton of Peoria IL.

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, sister Madonna O’Dell, and his
brother Thomas O’Dell Sr.

The visitation will be held at the Omps Funeral Home, 1600 Amherst Street in
Winchester, VA on Thursday December 7th beginning at 5:00 pm followed by a
celebration of Merlin’s life and legacy at 6:00 pm.

In honor of Merlin’s memory, donations can be made to the Winchester Church of
the Nazarene.

Interment will be December 12th in Decatur, Illinois at Graceland Fairlawn
Cemetery.

In Heaven, Merlin will forever sing songs of praise and worship to his Lord God
Almighty and Savior, Jesus Christ.