Opal Valeta Edwards, of South Bend, passed away at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, June
17, 2008 at her home. She was 87.
She was born Aug. 13, 1920 in Vandalia, Ill. the daughter of the late William
Henry and Addie Estelle (Russell) Mills.
On May 2, 1936 in Carlisle, Ill., she married Virgil L. Edwards, who preceded
her in death on Nov. 26, 1986, after 50 years of marriage.
She is survived by two daughters, Patty S. (Kenneth) Miller of Sedalia, Mo.
and Melody A. (William) Walsh of South Bend; one son, Mark A. (Mary) Edwards,
of Chesterton; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Edwards of Griffith; 21
grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren and three great, great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Darlene Sharp; a son, Gerald
Edwards; grandson, Mark A. Edwards, II; four sisters, Wavey, Elsie, Mabel and
Marie and four brothers, Leslie, Bill, George and Lester.
Opal has lived in South Bend since 1997, moving from Lake County in Griffith.
She formerly lived in Hillsboro, Ill. area. She was a member of the Highland
First Church of the Nazarene for over 50 years. She has been attending First
Church of the Nazarene, South Bend, since 1997. She was sweet and gentle and
a wonderful homemaker for all of her children and an inspiration to all of
her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services, Rev. David Bartley officiating, will be at 10:30 a.m.
(Eastern Time) Saturday, June 21 at the First Church of the Nazarene, 51690
N. Ironwood, South Bend.
Friends may visit with the family from 2-8 p.m. (Eastern Time) Friday at the
Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend, and
after 10 a.m. Saturday in the church. Graveside services and burial will be
at Liberty Cemetery, Mulberry Grove, Ill. at 1 p.m. Monday, June 23 (Eastern
Time).
Contributions in memory of Opal V. Edwards may be donated to the First Church
of the Nazarene Building Fund, 51690 N. Ironwood, South Bend, IN 46635.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at
www.palmerfuneralhomes.com
Posted 6/19/2008