Opal Marie Wilson, age 93, of Coulterville, Illinois, passed away at 10:13 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, in Sparta Community Hospital, in Sparta.
Opal was born on Feb. 2, 1926 in Swanwick, a daughter to Dave and Mamie (Birchler) Montgomery. She married John Edwin Wilson on Dec. 25, 1946 in Paducah, Kentucky and he preceded her in death on Dec. 18, 1998.
Opal was a member of Grandcote Reformed Presbyterian Church, in Coulterville, where she worked as the church secretary for 40 years. She was also a member of Randolph County Farm Bureau, a charter member of the Town and Country Club, served as president of the Coulterville Unit District 1 PTA and was a show person at county fairs for Registered Show Jerseys.
Opal was an avid bowler in Sparta and Pinckneyville, and an avid sports fan, rooting especially hard for the St. Louis Cardinals. She made wedding cakes for family members, enjoyed crocheting and embroidering, and had a love for helping people.
Opal especially loved raising her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her two sons, Dr. Michael (Deborah) Wilson of Springfield, Illinois and Marlin (Teresa) Wilson of Sparta; three daughters, Patsy Wilson of Willisville, Illinois, Brenda (Les) Oyler of Harrisburg and Darla (Carl) Thompson of Pueblo, Colorado; one sister, Cleo Jones of Farmington, Missouri; 10 grandchildren, Kara and Rachel Wilson, Bryce (Kristin) Jerrell, James Wilson, Patrick (Kalie) Brueggmann, Matthew Brueggmann, April (Eric) Wright, Joshua (Jessica) Rude, Christopher Rude and Nina (Matthew) Mead; 20 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Winiford Montgomery; her husband, John Edwin Wilson; son-in-law Ray Jerrell; grandson Cameron Wade Brueggmann; four brothers, Lester Montgomery, D.J. Montgomery, Rodney Montgomery and James Montgomery; four sisters, Lena Leming, Viola Leming, Dorothy Leming and Verna McBride; and three stepsisters, Beth Bumann, Imogene Woodside and Alice Woodside.
Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 26 at Grandcote Reformed Presbyterian Church, in Coulterville, with the Rev. Jim Stark officiating. Interment will follow at Coulterville City Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday and 9-11 a.m. Friday at Grandcote Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Memorial donations may be made to Coulterville Unit School District #1.
Pyatt Funeral Home in Coulterville is in charge of arrangements. For more information or to sign an online guest register visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.
