John Alan Odom

JOHN ALAN ODOM, 73, of Sparta, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon, Illinois.

He was born to the late Robert Leon and Alice Marie (nee Scarborough) Odom on October 7, 1952, in Christopher, Illinois.

John Alan married Martha Lee on July 25, 1987; she preceded him in death on May 5, 2026.

He worked for Sparta Printing until it closed, and then worked as a tow motor driver for Gilster Mary-Lee Corporation until his retirement.

In their younger years, John Alan and Martha enjoyed attending dances together. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, spending time with his grandchildren, and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. He and his wife Martha won St. Louis Cardinals baseball season tickets one year and went to many games, as well as sharing the tickets with family when they could not attend. John Alan was a wonderful caregiver to Martha through the last years of her life. Throughout the years with their grandchildren, “Grammy and PaPa” loved to play ball, play games, and attend as many of their grandchildren’s sporting events as they possibly could. In the same way we have hugged and waved goodbye over the years, “Miss you already”.

Survivors:

2 Children by marriage:

  Mindy (Steve) Friess Chester, IL

  Ky (Amy) Lee Pinckneyville, IL

2 Siblings:

  Robert “Bob” (Delma) Odom Sparta, IL

  Linda Ervin Sparta, IL

10 Grandchildren:

  Brie (Josiah) Bolin, Cara (Erik) Cowell, Anna (Allecia) Cross, Addison Lee, Haley Ring, John Lee, Arik Lee, Andrew (Emily) Friess, Matthew Friess and Lauren Friess

2 Great-Grandchildren:

  Carter Cowell and Dash Cross

Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends

Preceded in Death by: Parents, Wife, 1 Sister – June Ann Odom, and 1 Brother-in-law – Gary Ervin, Sr.

Funeral Service:

 4:00 pm, Sunday, September 27, 2026

 Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois

Officiating:

 Pastor John Alan Ervin

Visitation: 

  Sunday – 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

  Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois

Memorials:

 Family Choice