Ken Oden
Ken Oden
Ken Oden, 75, of Germania, died peacefully on his beloved farm surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, of MDS cancer.
Born on Aug. 16, 1941, in McKeesport to Hartley and Ellen Oden, he is survived by Janet, his wife of 57 years; children, Terri (Jerome) Jessup, Kevin Oden and Jenifer (Paul) Foster; seven grandchildren, Jonathan, Nicole, Emerson, Gwyn, Grant, Kaylee, Grant Alexander; and brothers, Gary Oden, of Lewistown and Roni Oden, of Beaty, Nevada.
Ken was a man of God, cherished and loved his family, his friends and his community.
He was a paper boy and a graduate of Norwin High School-1960, graduate of USF-1994, Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Robert Morris Graduate Commercial Banking. He had a 38-year banking career, the last eight year as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board; 12 years in Farming; and four years as Lay Minister. Ken was a life long student, loved learning and sharing knowledge. He was a mentor and received NAACP Award of the Year for Manatee County, USF Sarasota Alumni of the Year, Bass Pro Conservationist of the Year awarded in Nashville, a Mason 32nd degree, a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and thrilled and honored to carry and run through Bradenton downtown with the Olympic Torch in 1996.
He served his community as President Manatee Chamber of Commerce, awarded top Florida organization; president of United Way and first to cross the two million goal plus established the Tocqueville Society; president of Sarasota Symphony; served as board member on Manatee Hospital, Sarasota Community Foundation, YMCA; introduced Manatee County Junior Achievement, served as first president and Keep America Beautiful served as first president. Ken devoted himself to many charitable organizations, and causes.
He was a founder of the Great Outdoors Conservancy, Sportsmans National Landtrust, Manatee Community Foundation, and most important to him, the Germania Non-Denominational Church.
Ken’s passions were the word of God, family and friends, Germania Non-denominational Church, service to others, the great outdoors, wildlife, farming, agriculture, conservation, hunting, sporting clays, traveling and much much more.
Ken’s legacy is his wife, three children and seven grandchildren and love of “God’s Country.”
Visitation Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, from 2 p.m. followed with a memorial service at 3 p.m. at The Germania Non-Denominational Church, 55 Rausch Road, Galeton, PA 16922.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to his beloved church, The Germania Non-Denominational Church, 224 Ridge Road, Galeton, PA 16922.
Services have been entrusted to Hess Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Galeton. 814-435-6500.