It is with a feeling of deep regret we have to chronicle the death of an old and respected inhabitant and tradesman in the person of Mr. J. Odell, senr., who on Thursday morning, June 13, between twelve noon and one o'clock, passed away after a long and painful illness. Mr. Odell was born at Newport Pagnell on the 9th of August 1818, so he was in his 77th year. He commenced business as an ironmonger over 60 years ago, and he can safely be termed one of the oldest, if not the oldest, tradesmen of the town. He was very closely associated with our parish church, being parish churchwarden for nearly 30 years. He was elected to the office in 1857, which he held until 1859, and he was again elected in 1867, and continued to carry out the onerous duties associated with that post until the year 1894, when, owing to failing health he retired. In latter years he has retired almost entirely form any of the public bodies in the town, but in his earlier days he was very prominent, having been a member of the Board of Guardians, Burial Board, Bridge Trustees, Overseers, &c. He will also be remembered as having been mainly instrumental in getting the branch line from Wolverton to Newport Pagnell, which has since proved of such service and utility to the town. In politics he was a staunch Conservative, and at any of their meetings was, until latterly, to be seen on the platform, and invariably took a part in the proceedings. Universal sympathy is expressed for his family in their sad bereavement.

Funeral of Mr. Odell Snr - Bucks Standard 22nd March 1895

The funeral took place in the Cemetery, Newport Pagnell, on Monday afternoon, June 17, in the presence of a very large concourse of people, who attended to pay a last tribute to the deceased, who was respected and esteemed by everyone with whom he came in contact. During the service the whole of the tradesmen's establishments in the town were closed as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased.The Rev. C.M. Ottley most feelingly addressed the congregation. He said it was not customary to lengthen those services, but this rule, like others, must have its exception, and it seemed that that was an occasion when they might break it. John Odell had lived all his life in the parish, and, as father of a family, and master of a household, relative, friend and neighbour, had won not only the love and affection of his children, but the respect and esteem of all those who had assembled there that afternoon. They naturally remembered that elected by the parish, he had served as churchwarden with four vicars and for many many years. They all knew too, how much he prized and valued that ancient office, and how reluctant at last to relinquish it; how courteous he was in dealing with the rich, and how considerate he was in greeting the poor and lowly. And those who had visited him in his sickness, were aware of how interested he was in the church. Each Sunday evening he looked for the reports of the incidents of the day, and in his room, within the shadow of the tower, he listened to the bells, which were not a trouble but always a pleasure to him; and from his bed he followed the service with them. Those who had been with him during the long months of sickness and weakness knew that he had faith and patience, that he was always cheerful and grateful, never irritable, never complaining; and all those who were called to nurse him found their labour became, and that soon, a labour that proceedeth from love. Now they were going to carry him forth from the church where he had always worshipped, to the cemetery where he used often to walk, passing always by the grave that he was now to share.