Leslie & MeChong Odle

Les served as a 1st class sergeant in the United States Army where he met the love of his life, Mechong. Before he joined the military, Les had dreams of being a minister for the Methodist Church and later learned to be an autobody technician. In the military he learned to drive heavy trucks as a Nike Hercules missile operator. After returning home from the military, he built on that training and became a truck driver which eventually led him to be a semi-truck driving instructor. He loved to drive and touched many lives despite the grey hair it gave him. Mechong was born in the aftermath of the Korean war on May 20th or 21st of 1955 in Japan. As a small girl, her family returned to their ancestral homeland of Jeju Island in South Korea. She grew up in a strict home where her father was a school principal, and her mother was a successful businesswoman. She attended an all-girl high school in Mokpo later moving to Seoul where she met her lifelong love, Leslie. The Odle family has many fond memories spending the summer together driving across the United States in an 18-wheeler, making countless stops. One particular memory included the Redwood National Forest where they drove through the ancient forests appreciating some of the US’s most beautiful landscapes. Together, Les and Mechong enjoyed spending time gardening, growing and sharing their bounties with neighbors, family and friends. Every fall they would take their kids strawberry and apple picking. Making homemade apple pies and jam was an annual tradition. They even developed a recipe for "The Best Damn Applesauce." Les and Mechong often took on projects to improve their home which always stood out in the neighborhood. When Les took his son, Ron, on a summer road trip out west, Mechong was in charge of the home. Her ingenuity and determination kept their home together. She often credited their home with saving their lives. Mechong arrived in the States on October 2nd, 1975, still carrying her 1st child, Ronald Neal Odle, who was born 22 days later on October 24th. Their daughter, Kimberly Koreen Odle, followed on January 22, 1979. While Les was the family peacekeeper, Mechong was the keystone and pillar of the family, who inspired with simple phrases "Never lie, never cheat and never steal." Mechong believed in the power of education and never stopped learning. She always made time to study and practice English and grammar. She loved mysteries and wonders of the great unknown. She took interest in politics and believed in diversity, equity and inclusion. She took time to understand issues and expressed her right to vote. Mechong was a poet and a published author. She journaled nearly every day and was always full of gratitude, even through life's hardships. Mechong always listened and believed in action often following up with "Get busy" or "Get Moving". Les and Mechong married at the US consulate before returning to Monticello, IN. They were married nearly 50 years before Les passed away on January 8th, 2023. Mechong followed on March 6th, 2026. Both Les and Mechong were surrounded by their family and died peacefully in their home. They are preceded in death by son Ronad Neal Odle (Anna Choe) and daughter Kimberly Koreen Odle Peters (Anthony Peters). Donations may be made to The Korean Hana Foundation.