Stephen R. “Sod” ODonnell, 77, of Coldwater passed away Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Insight Hospital and Medical Center Coldwater.
Cremation has taken place.
A memorial service will be held Friday, June 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Dutcher Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Case officiating.
A gathering of family and friends will be held prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Oak Grove cemetery at 1:30 p.m.
Sod was born September 23, 1947, in Hastings, MI to Clark and Helen (Mills) ODonnell. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1965. He went on to further his education at Western Michigan University, until he was drafted by the United States Army to serve in the Vietnam War from 1967-1969.
When he was honorably discharged, he went back to WMU and graduated in 1973 with his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.
Sod moved to Coldwater in 1973, to pursue a career in Social Work until 1987. In 1992, Sod was set up on a blind date with LuAnn Kirk. They were married in 1998 and that led to 26 years of happy marriage. Sod welcomed the role of a supportive, caring, generous stepfather to Toby and Tyson Kirk. But his most cherished role was when he became “Grandpa Sod” to his five beautiful grandchildren, Julia, McKinley, Logan, Lyra, and Lana. He loved them with all his heart.
In 1993, Sod and Doug Crabtree teamed up as partners to buy an Auto Owners Insurance Agency, and purchased several more, including Conrad Insurance in 1998, which became C&O Insurance in Coldwater. He retired in 2006.
Sod was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1998. After his diagnosis, he went on to be a strong advocate for the disease along with management of care. He underwent a deep brain stimulation surgery in 2010 in continuing his advocacy for his care.
Sod was an active member of the Coldwater Rec. softball and basketball leagues for many years. He enjoyed sports, especially the Chicago Cubs.
Sod is survived by his wife, LuAnn ODonnell; his stepsons Toby (Lisa) Kirk, Tyson Kirk; his siblings Kenith (Nancy) ODonnell, Patricia Dyer; his grandchildren Julia, McKinley, Logan, Lyra, Lana Kirk; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Clark and Helen ODonnell, brother-in-law James Dyer, and nephew Brian ODonnell.
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