Ernest V. Oden

Ernest V. Oden

died peacefully on Saturday, July 11, 2015. He was 77. Mr. Oden was born on April 11, 1938, in Zionsville, Indiana, to Donovan and Margaret Oden. A gifted athlete, he earned a basketball scholarship to Atlantic Christian College in North Carolina and he remained extraordinarily grateful for the financial support that made it possible for him to attend college. He graduated with a degree in Education in 1961. That same year, Mr. Oden married his college sweetheart and the love of his life, Judy Collins. They moved to Indiana in 1962 and he took a position as a teacher and coach at Mt. Vernon High School that blended his dual interests in sports and education. He taught history and coached golf, track, basketball, and baseball, and he became athletic director in 1972. Mr. Oden devoted his life to high school athletics and believed strongly in teaching the values of respect, loyalty and sportsmanship. He coached and taught thousands of student athletes through the years before retiring in1999.  Beyond high school athletics, he loved the New York Yankees and the IU Hoosiers. Golf was among his favorite hobbies, and he pursued it happily in retirement.

Mr. Oden is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lee Ann and Tom Vriesman his son and daughter-in-law, David and Rachel Oden his sister, Patricia Hess his partner Pam Jackson and his grandchildren, Emily and Zoe Vriesman, Caffrey, Ella and Maya Oden. He is preceded in death by his wife, Judy his siblings, Frances Minteer, Donald Oden, Keith Oden, Marjorie Harris, Russell Oden and his granddaughter Ali Elizabeth Vriesman.

Calling will take place on Monday, July 13, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Seals Funeral Home, 122 W. Staat Street, Fortville, IN. A funeral service will take place at the First United Methodist Church, 125 Staat Street, Fortville, IN at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, with burial to follow at Gravel Lawn Cemetery, Fortville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation, 1776 West State Road 234, Fortville, IN 46040.