June 20, 1931 - June 4, 2024
Service
Saturday, June 22nd at 10 AM at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church
Burial
Blendon Central Cemetery
Joseph O'Daniel born June 20, 1931 passed peacefully on June 4, 2024 at the age of 92. Joseph was raised in Springfield, Kentucky and attended Springfield High School. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the Kentucky National Guard and served with the 623rd Artillery Regiment in Korea in 1950-1951. Upon return, he attended the University of Kentucky, eventually graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
In January of 1956, he married Margaret Eva Grigsby (also of Springfield) and the two remained married for 68 years. Upon moving to Columbus, Ohio the two raised five children while he worked at North American Aviation / Rockwell International and also intermittently with ABN Realty. Joseph was a very early participant in the St. Paul Catholic Church in Westerville, helping to raise funds for second construction of the church in 1968 and participating with the Knights of Columbus during the 1960s and 1970s.
What Joe lacked in culinary skill, he made up for with appetite for any and all dietary items he came into contact with, never encountering a food he disliked. He used those extra calories to play many, many rounds of golf with friends and family and to enjoy cheering at basketball games of the local Otterbein College and Columbus Academy teams as well as attending the myriad of sports, activities and performances of his grandchildren. Regular trips to Clippers games were not unusual and Joe took pride in doing his civic duties of working the polls on Election Day for many years. Upon retiring in the early 1990's, Joe and Margaret traveled extensively with many trips to Europe and points across the continental US.
He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Elizabeth O'Daniel and his brother Paul as well as his eldest son, Jeff. He is survived by his wife Margaret and his children Patrick (Maria) O'Daniel, Christopher (Joyce) O'Daniel, Elizabeth (Todd) Alexander, and David (Tracy Roese) O'Daniel, as well as six grandchildren: Sarah Alexander (Josh Rogers), Matthew Alexander (Chelsea), Benjamin Alexander, Jacob Alexander, Erin O'Daniel, Gillian O'Daniel.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Paul The Apostle Church (313 N State St Westerville, OH) at 10AM on Saturday June 22, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held at Giammarco's Italian Restaurant (6030 Chandler Ct. in Westerville) after all services with immediate family arriving between 11:30am and noon.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to any of these causes:
The Columbus Academy Jeff O'Daniel Scholarship Fund https://www.columbusacademy.org/give-pledge-online Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio https://rmhc-centralohio.org/
Capital City Hospice http://capitalcityhospice.com/
Condolences
Mike, Linda, and Kathy Popovich - Jun 23, 2024
We celebrated Joe yesterday, 6/22, at Mike and Linda's house in Washington Court House. What a beautiful obituary. Thank you for sharing. We have many fond memories of our time spent with Beth and her family . Peace be with you Joe and everyone who loves you. The Popovich Family
Scott Lawrence - Jun 22, 2024
Margaret, Pat, Chris, Beth, and David - sincerest condolences to the O'Daniel family from the Lawrences. Our families have had a long relationship - over half a century - and we grieve the loss of Joe, but we also celebrate his life, and know you will one day be together again. I particularly enjoyed the times when I was able to stop in and visit with Joe as we shared stories about our families and what was going on in our lives. May he rest in eternal peace. As Jesus taught "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted," as well as "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Denny & Diane Warstler - Jun 21, 2024
We want to extend our condolences to our dear friend Margaret, your children, grandchildren, and extended family. We will forever have great memories of the four of us sitting together at all of those Columbus Academy basketball games, especially when we played Harvest Prep at the Convention Center in March of 2019, Carter's junior year. What fun we had! Joe was such a wonderful man, who lived an extraordinary life. We will always remember him fondly. We're sending you lots of love.
Catharine - Jun 17, 2024
Dearest Aunt Margaret, Pat, Beth, Chris and David and spouses and grandkids: Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of Uncle Joe. He was a kind and gentle man and I will always cherish my many fond memories of him. I know this Father's Day must have been a hard one for you all. May dear Uncle Joe rest in eternal peace and may his memory bring you comfort now and in the times ahead. I like to think that he and Paul are together on a heavenly golf course and they are smiling down on us all. Much love to you all and my deepest sympathies on the loss of Joe, the last of the great Mohicans!!!!!! Love, Catharine O'Daniel
Tim Hildreth - Jun 15, 2024
“Coach O’D” was a special part of The Columbus Academy golf program. A special favorite of many golfers.
Thomas and Angela Haydon - Jun 15, 2024
Our sincere condolences to the O'Daniel family on the loss of Joe. The Springfield Haydon's will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Rose & John Haydon - Jun 14, 2024
Our sincere condolences to Margaret Eva & family. Continued prayers 🙏
Maryln and Bill Dudrow - Jun 13, 2024
Our memories of Joe are of happy times, like CA lunches, bowl games, and NYE parties. We also had great fun in trips to England. Our thoughts are with you Margaret.
Rick McManis - Jun 13, 2024
I'm so sorry to hear about my friend Joe...he was an amazing person and I will forever miss him ....my condolences to his amazing family and his wife Margaret....
Byron Rider - Jun 12, 2024
Our sincere condolences to the family. Joe worked with my wife Mary Ann at Home Place 25 years ago. We would see Joe at Marc's shopping or at morning mass at St. Paul's. We enjoyed the times we had with Joe. RIP Joe and may God Bless you and your family during this time.
Jack Groseclose - Jun 10, 2024
Joe was a great guy. When I played football in high school 55 years + ago , Joe was a referree . I knew him as a neighbor to Aunt Mary . I would cover my teeth with gum to hide that I didn\\\'t have a mouth piece when he handed me the ball for the kick offs. Good memory and a great person .