Matthew David O’Daniel, an international relations junior in James Madison College, died on March 15 due to injuries sustained in a vehicular accident on March 12. He was 21 years old.
He “unfailingly brightened the lives of all he met, put the needs of others before his own, and was always willing to help,” his family said.
O’Daniel was born on July 24, 2001, in Lansing, though he was raised in Eaton Rapids. In high school, he participated in cross country, swimming, track and marching band. He graduated with honors from Eaton Rapids High School in 2019.
O’Daniel was a rifleman with the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, Charlie Company 3rd Platoon and Marine Forces Reserve. He held the rank of Lance Corporal and earned the honor of expert marksman in boot camp. He had plans to graduate from MSU and continue his career in the Marines.
He was an active member of St. Peter Catholic Church and the youth development 4-H program. His family said O’Daniel loved the outdoors and enjoyed swimming, hiking and camping on family vacations. He would go home on Sundays to attend mass with his parents and see his pets.
Visitation will be on March 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. On March 25, a funeral mass with military honors will occur at 11 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church in Eaton Rapids.
To send flowers or write a message about O’Daniel, visit the Mills Funeral Home website.
