Josephine B. Oddous, 89, a longtime school teacher at Idyllwild School and in Hemet, died from heart failure at her home in Idyllwild on Monday, Oct. 12, 1998.

Ms. Oddous was born July 14, 1909, in Spokane, Wash.

Having obtained bachelor's degrees in arts and education, she was a teacher at the Baptist Christian School in Hemet for 12 years. Her most recent employment was as a teacher at Idyllwild School for 11 years. Prior to living in Idyllwild for the past 38 years, she was a resident of Palm Springs.

Ms. Oddous was a member of Idyllwild Bible Church, Delta Phi Epsilon, Isaac Walton League, California Retired Teachers Association and Idyllwild Garden Club.

Private graveside services were held with McWane Family Funeral Home in Hemet handling arrangements. Burial is at Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Idyllwild Bible Church Benevolent Fund, P.O. Box 1029, 25860 Highway 243, Idyllwild, CA 92549.

Survivors include a son, Thomas A. Paine of Idyllwild; a sister, Winifred Neitz of Boise; a nephew, Peter Neitz of Yuma, Ariz.; and a niece, Paula Durand of Boise. Ms. Oddous was preceded in death by a sister, Maybelle Hewitt, in 1996.