Rev. John E. Dodds, 87, of St. Marys, OH, died 6:06 a.m., Fri. Feb. 3, 2023, at Otterbein-St. Marys. He was born Aug. 14, 1935, in Hardin Co., OH, the son of the John O. & Myrtle M. (Tracy) Dodds, who preceded him in death. On Oct. 24, 1954, he married Patricia Joan Lones, and she survives.
Other survivors include, 5 children, Charlotte (Frederick) Brown, Westerville, OH, Dr. Jonathon (Kim) Dodds, Chicago, IL, J. Mark Dodds, St. Marys, OH, Benjamin J. (Cynthia) Dodds, Wapakoneta, Daniel (Jayma) Dodds, Anna, OH; 18 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild, siblings, Molly Shroyer, Wapakoneta, Denzil (Kay) Dodds, League City, TX, W. Michael (Carlotte) Dodds, Sidney, OH, David (Deanna) Dodds, Jackson Center, OH, Aaron (Deanece) Dodds, Lakeview, OH, numerous nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by a great grandchild, Myrlis, and 3 brothers, Myron, Patrick, and Phillip Dodds.
John’s life was dedicated to the service of others, officiating at countless weddings and funerals. He was an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, and served full time for over 50 years. He pastored Churches of the Nazarene in Indian Lake, Paulding, and Cridersville. He later served as director of the Nazarene Church Camp (Cross Oak Camp and Conference Center) St. Marys, and was very involved in the development of their current facilities. He was a graduate of Lakeview High School, and attended the Olivet Nazarene College, Kankakee, IL. He also drove school bus for the Wapakoneta City Schools, and served as chaplain for the Cridersville Volunteer Fire Dept. for a number of years. He was active with the Nazarene Camping Assn. He traveled throughout the state as an evangelist and guest speaker. John also helped farmers in the area. He enjoyed flying, sailing, and traveling.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Sat. Feb. 11, 2023, in the auditorium at the Cross Oak Camp and Conference Center (Nazarene Church Camp) 272 Jack Oak Point Rd., St. Marys, OH, with Dr. Geoff Kunselman officiating. Burial is to follow in the Walnut Hill Cemetery, near New Hampshire, OH., where John’s brother, Rev. Denzil Dodds will officiate. The family will receive friends 3-7 p.m., Fri. Feb. 10, and 9:30-10:30 a.m., Sat. at the Cross Oak Camp and Conference Center, St. Marys. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Nazarene Church Camp. Arrangements are under the direction of the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, Wapakoneta, where condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.
