Orin Dodez

Larned - Orin Dodez, 77, passed away October 26, 2025 at Wichita, Kansas.

He was born September 11, 1948 in Omaha, Nebraska; the son of Orin S. and Rebekah Schultz Dodez.

Orin grew up in Massillon, Ohio and his earliest memories were riding his bike around town, playing baseball with the neighbor kids, and going to his Dodez' grandparents' farm where he experienced life without running water or electricity and worked with the animals and in the garden.

He graduated from high school and went to Kansas State University. After graduation with his B.S. in journalism, he took up his commission in the United States Army and went to Vietnam. When returning from Vietnam he worked at the Lyons Newspaper and the Larned Tiller and Toiler. Orin later earned his Master's Degree from Fort Hays State University and became a School Psychologist at the beginning of special education for all. He earned his EDD in education from Wichita State University and continued as a school psychologist until his retirement. Orin retired to his home in Milan, Kansas where he enjoyed working on home and auto projects with his cat, Bandit.

Survivors include; his wife, Diane Dodez, of Columbus, Wisconsin, his son, Phillip Orin (Michelle) Dodez and granddaughter, Athena Dodez of Fall River, Wisconsin and his daughter, Rebekah Dodez, of Denver, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his stepmother Sylvia Dodez, and his father and mother -in-law, Phillip and Theresa Sandblade.

Memorial Mass will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 7, 2025 at Holy Rosary Chapel, Sacred Heart Parish Center, Larned with Father Robert Schremmer presiding. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday November 6, 2025 at Beckwith Mortuary. Inurnment will be in Larned Cemetery with military honors provided by United States Army and VFW Post #7271.

Memorials may be given to the Pawnee County Food Pantry, in care of Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.