Ara O. Ogden

Saturday, February 7, 2015 from 11 a.m. until service time at the Vandalia United Methodist Church.

Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Vandalia United Methodist Church
Officiating will be Rev. Helen McFarland.
Music provided by: Shelly Dillion - soloist; Sharon Hoehn - pianist.
Interment of her cremains will take place at a later date.
Honorary Pallbearers: James Culver, Michael Ogden, Justin Bauman, Don Hoover, Zachary Culver and Alex Culver.

Ara O'Laura (Damron) Ogden passed away at 1:12 p.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2015 at her home in Vandalia. She grew up in the Whiteside area and was a 1936 Elsberry High School graduate. After her marriage to Cottle, they moved to Vandalia where she and her husband owned and operated several businesses in Vandalia. They owned the slaughter house and Ogden Locker for many years. They also had an ice business and ran the Freeze and Snack in town for several years. They last had Oggie's Place at the west edge of town for seven years before retiring. Ara loved her country and was a 69-year member of the Vandalia VFW Post 2173 Ladies Auxiliary. She was a very active member of the Vandalia United Methodist Church where she had been a member of the ladies circle and always was baking and cooking for different church events. She enjoyed sewing, refinishing furniture, antiques and making candles for the church bazaar.

Born: August 15, 1918 in rural Whiteside, Missouri the daughter of Edward Meriwether and Georgie Vesta (Davis) Damron.

Married: Preston Cottle Ogden on January 29, 1942 in Phoenix, Arizona; he preceded her in death on March 6, 2007.

Survivors include: one daughter: Cheryl O. Culver of Summerfield, Illinois; one brother: Melville M. Damron of Lubbock, Texas; three grandchildren: Melissa Smith and husband, David of Memphis, Missouri; James P. Culver and wife, Rhonda of Vandalia; Michael D. Ogden of Vandalia; nine great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: parents; husband, Cottle; son, Phillip M. Ogden; three brothers: Norman Richard Damron, George D. Damron and Garrett E. Damron; one sister, Lillian A. Eddy.

Memorials are encouraged to the Vandalia United Methodist Church.