Orville Dodson 1937-2021
Orville Lee Dodson, 84, of Onaga, passed away Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at Onaga Health and Rehab.
He was born Feb. 11, 1937, at Christ Hospital in Topeka, the son of Carl and Evelyn (Buehler) Dodson.
Orville earned his bachelor’s degree at Emporia State University and his master’s degree at Pittsburg State University. He was a high school teacher for more than 38 years, teaching 21 years in Onaga and 17 years in St. Marys.
Orville had a passion for coaching as well. Orville coached the Onaga boys basketball team. He also coached the St. Marys boys basketball team and the St. Marys girls softball team, where he coached the girls to a state title in 1997. After Orville’s retirement in 1997, he coached the Onaga girls basketball team for three years and then officially retired.
Orville enjoyed woodworking so much that he custom built cabinets for families and he even built a few houses, including his own. Most of all, Orville was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, coach, teacher, neighbor and friend. He will be dearly missed!
Orville married Melba Wallisch on June 2, 1957, in Denison. They celebrated more than 64 years of marriage.
Survivors include his wife, Melba, of the home; two sons, Lyndall Dodson (Karen) of Kearney, Mo., and Daryl Dodson (Gina) of Liberal, Mo.; a brother, Lemoyne Dodson (Arlene) of Denison; five grandchildren, Dr. Christopher R. Dodson (Sarah), Stephen Dodson, Katie Smith, Mandy Short (Zac) and Kori Dodson; and three great-grandchildren, Charles Dodson, Tanner Short and Andrew Short.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in Denison Cemetery. Orville will lie in state beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday until service time at the funeral home. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be given to the Onaga Senior Center or to the Onaga Historical Museum, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
