Obituary

  Monsignor Joseph J. O'Dea, 87, formerly of Aledo, a Catholic priest in the Peoria Diocese, died Sunday, July 13, 2003 at. St. Anthony's Continuing Care in Rock Island.
  A mass was celebrated at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 15, at. St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pontiac, where the Rev. Thomas Mack and other priests in the Peoria Diocese concelebrated the Mass. A visitation was held at. St. Mary's Catholic Church 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, July, 15. Another Mass was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Aledo where Bishop Daniel Jenke of Peoria along with William Cardinal Keeler, Archbishop of the Baltimore Diocese concelebrated the Mass. Burial was in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Preemption Township. Visitation was held two hours prior to the service at St. Catherine's Catholic Church. Members of the Streator and Pontiac Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Color Guard served as honor guards during the visitation and mass.
  Arrangements were handled by Solon, Baker, and Telford Funeral Home of Streator with assistance from Fippinger Funeral Home in Aledo.
  He was born April 18, 1916 in Preemption, a son of John and Ann Hynes O'Dea. He graduated from Aledo High School, St. Ambrose University and Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis.
  He was ordained a priest in the Peoria Diocese on June 7, 1942. Since that time he has served the parishes of Immaculate Conception in Streator, St. Joseph's in Pekin, St. Patrick's in Lincoln, St. Elizabeth's in Thomasboro, St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria and St. Mary's in Pontiac. He has also served as Chaplain for St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Diocesan Consulter and Pontiac Vicarate from 1983-1991. He was named a Prelate of Honor to the Holy Father in 1968. He retired from Priesthood in 1986.
  He was a member of the Pontiac Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge #1019, Streator Monsignor George A. Dzuryo Knights of Columbus Council #790 and a member of the Streator Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Assembly #2109.
  Survivors include a brother-in-law, Blaine Lingafelter of Aledo and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, . sisters, Gerarda Lingafelter, Sr. Mary Annelle Catherine O'Dea B.V.M., Sr. Mary Dorothy Ann B.V.M. and an infant sister Ellen and an infant brother John.
(Aledo Times Record, Wednesday, July 23, 2003, p. 4)