Omer Dale Canull

Mr. Omer D. Canull, age 81 of DeFuniak Springs passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 5, 2015 in a Crestview healthcare facility. He was born February 12, 1934 in Lexington, Illinois the son of Hayward and Reba Burke Canull. He served his country during the Korean Conflict and the Viet Nam War having served with the United States Marines and retiring after twenty years of service. Among his decorations, medals, badges, commendations, citations and campaign ribbons awarded or authorized are Good Conduct Medal w/5, Presidential Unit Citation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, United Nation Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, RVNMUCUCG and Vietnam Campaign Medal. He then began a second career with Kraft Foods in charge of distribution. After retiring with Kraft, he finally ended up in DeFuniak Springs where he was a big fan of garage sales and flea markets. Omer had a good eye for collectibles, which he would refurbish and sell. He culled nothing, finding everything had a value to somebody, somewhere. He proved this fact when he sold his collection of pedal cars he had refurbished for ten thousand dollars, sight unseen by the buyer. His knack for buying the “right thing” was known far and wide. Many will remember his collection of John Deere tractors which could be seen when traveling on Highway 331 North. If Omer had a favorite, it would be Parker Brothers Monopoly games, and he has a collection of over two hundred sets of varying age and size. He also was known to indulge in “a game of chance” daily playing the Florida Lottery. This former Marine filled his days, after the death of his wife in 1980, with keeping busy and exploring other’s discards and creating treasures of them. He is predeceased by his wife, Barbara Upton Canull, his son Mark and his granddaughters, Jessica and Jenae.

Among survivors are his children: Cindy Mason; Rob Canull and wife Robin; Chris Schultz and husband Bill; David Canull and wife Danita; Beau Canull and wife Kathy; Jacob Canull. His daughter-in-law Toni Canull, his brothers, Jim Canull and Gene Canull and wife Clara. His sisters, Kathy Butler and husband Ray, Dixie Lenseigne and husband Steve and Sharon Gaither. Sixteen grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren also survive.

The family will receive friends Friday, December 18, 2015 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. in Jerry Evans Chapel with the funeral beginning at 11:00 A.M. with Dr. Bobby Tucker officiating. Graveside Services with full military honors will be held in Grandview Memorial Gardens in Champaign, Illinois.