Oddil A. Shaer, 71, of Vandalia, passed away at 10:56 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, at Lakeland Hospital, Niles.

Oddil’s life began on Jan. 8, 1938, in Dowagiac, the son of Joseph and Clara (Winchester) Shaer.

He served his country in the U.S. Army as a military policeman.

Oddil worked as a die caster for SPX Corp. in Mishawaka, Ind., until his retirement four years ago.

He was united in marriage to the former Sandy Griffis on March 27, 1999, in Las Vegas.
Oddil was a member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.

He enjoyed shopping, auctions, fishing, hunting, his vegetable garden and collecting fishing lures.

His greatest joy was his family, which includes: his wife Sandy of Vandalia; his children Gianna (Brent) Nate of Dowagiac, Maria Shaer of South Carolina, Liana (Tim) Heath of Cassopolis, Jennifer Behnke of Dowagiac and Julie (Rick) Keating of Fort Myers, Fla.; grandchildren, Ava Nate, Anysia Heath, Danica Heath, Sophia Behnke, Sam Keating and Grace Keating; siblings, Josie Spichtig of Dowagiac, Mary Vogt of Dowagiac, Ollie (Pat) Shaer of Dowagiac and Norma Jean Miller of Dowagiac; and several nieces and nephews.

Oddil is preceded in death by a daughter, Antonia Shaer, and a brother, Fran Winchester.
His family will gather with friends on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home, where his service will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. led by Deacon Frank Wesolowski.

Oddil will be laid to rest in Sacred Heart of Mary (Silver Creek) Cemetery following the service.

Please sign his guestbook and leave a memory of Oddil at www.mclauchlin-clark.com.