Steve O’Dell at Country Financial, Serving the Virden/Girard and Surrounding Area

By Cindy Ladage

Steve O’Dell literally grew up with County Financial since his dad, Dave O’Dell was an insurance agent in Virden.  Their office has been a mainstay on the Virden square for many years.  Steve decided at an early age to follow in his father’s footsteps.  “I got my license when I was twenty-one.  I worked for dad for a year, then he said, ‘you need to get out and see different parts of the industry.”

This was perhaps the best advice his father could have given him to get a well-rounded experience in the insurance business.  Working for a variety of other insurance companies, Steve said, “I worked in sales, claims, training, marketing and was a business analyst for different agencies.  It gave me a better understanding of the business.”

Today Steve O’Dell said, “I don’t think of myself as a salesman, but as a relationship manager.”

Those years working at various jobs in insurance took him away from Virden.  “I lived in Eureka, Illinois, then moved back to Virden.  I married my second wife Jodi, in 2009, and we bought a house in Auburn.”

Jodi’s maiden name was Powell and Steve said that her roots are as deep in the Auburn community as his are in the Virden community.  “They were a farming family,” he shared.  “My wife is a high school history, government and law teacher and high school track coach.”

She has been employed in this capacity at Auburn High for the past fifteen years. Steve has three children, Liam who is 9, Grady who is 10, and Faith who is 18 and a freshman at SIUE in nursing! 

Steve took over the Virden office when his father Dave retired in February of 2019.  “I took over on March 1st,” Steve said. At their office, Steve is one of five team members.  The office is filled with community items like a quilt honoring North Mac the Virden and Girard School, and pictures from local clubs and other items showing the offices support of the local area.

When asked what he likes about being an insurance agent, Steve didn’t hesitate.  “I like the people.  That’s why I do this.  I have a passion to help people!”

He enjoys being part of the Country Financial Team he said because, “Country is a company that still believes in the individual. Working with the company I learned that you can still talk to a human being.  They offer a quick response. There is a big difference between us and our competitors.”

Steve said that his office offers Multiline insurance.  They provide options in life health, agribusiness, personal, and commercial insurance.  Country Financial has annuities and IRA’s available, Business Retirement options and Specialty Products as well as Financial Products and services. At Steve O’Dell’s office, they help customize insurance to meet their clients needs.  “Most individuals don’t look at their insurance policies every day.  We help them with those questions and needs,” Steve said.  “We don’t take a cookie cutter approach., but an individual approach.  Most people don’t think, ‘Why do I have it, and what does it mean?’ We can help answer that.”

For his clients, and for everyone, Steve advises that everyone do a yearly insurance review with their agent.  “I like to do reviews every year, or couple of years. Talk with your agent and understand what kind of insurance you have and what you are paying for.  There may be discounts that you are eligible for.”

Some of the discounts that Country Financial offer that Steve provided examples of include the good student discount, engaged couple, first responders and educators. 

When asked why he choose to work in Virden, besides the obvious reason that he grew up there, he said, “These small communities offer a sense of family.  You know each other and help take care of each other.  I can’t imagine being somewhere else.  Here there is such a sense of community.”

Steve not only enjoys being part of an active community, but he himself is part of the community life both in Virden, and in Auburn.  Steve puts community involvement high on is “to do” list.  He is a member of the North Mac Foundation Board, Lions’ Club, Kiwanis, and a member of the Virden/Girard Area Chamber of Commerce as well as an EMT for the Auburn Fire and Rescue.

Steve O’Dell and his staff are available to assist you with your auto, home, life, business, and retirement needs.  Call 217-965-5888 or email steve.odell@countryfinancial.com for more information.